Hamilton and Perez hit with three-place grid penalties

Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez have both been slapped with three-place grid penalties at the Indian Grand Prix for ignoring double-waved yellow flags during the first practice session.

The incidents occurred towards the end of the session when marshals were on track at turn 16 recovering Pastor Maldonado's stricken Williams. Drivers are supposed to slow down significantly under double-waved yellow flags and be prepared to stop in order to protect marshals on the circuit. But after reviewing the two drivers' data with Hamilton and Perez present, the stewards ruled that both had ignored the flags.

Perez's incident was timed at 11:29 local time, which according to the FIA was "while a car was being recovered in close proximity to the track", while Hamilton's infringement was at 11:31 local time when "marshals were in close proximity to the track".

Both drivers will be demoted three places on Sunday's grid.

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