Massa takes Pole, Hamilton Penalised

March 23, 2008 by Vijandren Ramadass

World championship leader Lewis Hamilton has a fight on his hands if he is to maintain his winning start to the Formula One season. Dominant in Australia last Sunday, the McLaren Mercedes driver was only fourth fastest during final qualifying for tomorrow’s Malaysian Grand Prix, and was then told he must start in ninth after a stewards inquiry.

Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen have both dropped five grid places after being found guilty of impeding Nick Heidfeld and Fernando Alonso. The incident occurred when both drivers slowed down after crossing the line with seconds left of qualifying.

By remaining on the racing line, they were adjudged to have impeded Heidfeld and Alonso, who were starting their final flying laps. Hamilton will now begin tomorrow’s 56-lap race from ninth place, while Kovalainen will start in eighth after the pair initially qualified fourth and third respectively.

Source/Full Story : Telegraph UK

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