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Journalism of Courage
Former champion Lewis Hamilton’s chances of winning the inaugural Indian Grand Prix suffered a jolt as he was handed a three-place grid penalty for ignoring double-waved yellow flags after setting the fastest lap time in the free practice session here today.
The penalty means that even if Hamilton,the 2008 world champion,goes fastest in the qualifying session tomorrow,he will have to start the race in the fourth position at the Buddh International circuit.
The incident happened close to the conclusion of the session at turn 16.
Marshals were in proximity to the track and double yellow flags were waved but Hamilton raced on at his usual speed.
The stewards,after receiving a report from the Race director,decided that the regulation has been breached and thus imposed the penalty.
The British driver had set the fastest lap timing by clocking 1:26.836 in 22 laps in the morning session.
Sauber driver Sergio Perez was also handed the same penalty as he also ignored the double waved yellow flag at turn 16 when a car was being recovered in close proximity to the track.
