Lewis Hamilton suffered a difficult start to his weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, suffering an early exit in qualifying for the Sprint race at Interlagos. And to make matter worse, the seven-time champion is being investigated by the stewards and could cop a grid penalty.

Hamilton is accused of having failed to slow down for yellow flags during the second part of qualifying on Friday. He was trying to make it to the start-finish line in time to set one more flying lap and try to book his place in the top 10 when team-mate Charles Leclerc span off track ahead of him.

Marshals in that section of the track were quick to double-wave yellow flags, meaning other drivers have to slow down and be prepared to stop. However, cameras on board Hamilton’s Ferrari did not show the Brit slowing down and he appeared to keep his foot down on the throttle in his desperation to make it to the line in time.

The stewards are investigating the issue and will study telemetry from Hamilton’s car to determine whether they felt he correctly heeded the yellow flags. If they decide he didn’t then the Ferrari star is in line for a grid penalty.

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