Sebastian Vettel will start from 11th place for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix as he picked up a three-place grid penalty for destroying Fernando Alonso’s lap in the closing stages of Q2 at the Red Bull Ring today. The four-time World Champion also had a penalty point added to his licence.  

Alonso, who had been a superb P3 in Q1, looked set to comfortably make the top 10 on his final run in Q2 until he came across the Aston Martin at turn 10. Vettel was moving slowly as multiple cars backed up in the final two corners to create some space for their laps. The Spaniard could only manage P14 because of it. 

Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz were also investigated for driving unnecessarily slowly [two of the cars in front of the German], but no action was taken against either driver. 

“Alonso was on his fast lap just before the end of Q2,” the stewards’ document read. 

‘’When he approached the last two corners (9 and 10), there was still a queue of three cars preparing for their final qualifying lap. Vettel was the last car in this line and impeded Alonso and as a result, Alonso had to abort his final qualifying lap.” 

Fernando attempting to finish a flying lap, Sebastian trying to start one... maximum frustration in Q2 😤

Watch all the best action from a gripping qualifying session 🍿#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 #F1

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 3, 2021