• British Grand Prix - Qualifying

Liuzzi penalised five grid positions for blocking

ESPNF1 Staff
July 10, 2010 « 'Disappointed' Schumacher 'couldn't get lap together' | »
Tonio Liuzzi will start the race from 20th on the grid © Sutton Images
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Tonio Liuzzi has been slapped with a five-place grid penalty for impeding Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying, meaning the Force India driver will start the British Grand Prix from 20th.

Liuzzi left the pits during Q2 and was driving slowly through Maggots and Becketts when Hulkenberg came up behind on a hot lap. Liuzzi didn't see the Williams or the blue flags being waved to tell him to pull over, and scuppered Hulkenberg's chances of making it through to Q3.

Liuzzi said he had misread the situation at the time.

"We'll now start 20th because of the penalty - we thought that we had to keep Nico behind and I didn't realise he was on a hot lap," he said. "From there it's not going to be easy but there are overtaking spots here at least, plus the incentive of racing in front of our home crowd."

An angry Hulkenberg, 13th on the grid, said it ruined his session.

"Traffic really destroyed qualifying for me today," he said. "As I was going into the first corner on a quick lap in Q2, Liuzzi exited the pit lane under blue flags but didn't move out of my way. That ruined my lap from the outset as I couldn't get past him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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