Williams driver overtook Nasr under red flags in Practice Two
Saturday 14 November 2015 11:23, UK
Valtteri Bottas will start three places lower than where he qualifies in Sunday's Brazilian GP after being penalised for overtaking under red flags in practice on Friday.
The Williams driver, currently battling with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen for fourth in the Drivers' Championship, was handed the three-place drop for illegally overtaking Sauber's Felipe Nasr while the red flags were waving for Fernando Alonso's stopped McLaren during Practice Two.
The FIA's International Sporting Code, which is applicable to all motor racing series under its auspices, states that under red flag conditions 'all cars shall immediately reduce speed and proceed slowly back to their respective pits' with overtaking strictly 'forbidden'.
A stewards' statement read: 'The driver of car 77 [Bottas] admitted he overtook car 12 [Nasr] under red flags, the Stewards in applying the penalty took into consideration that despite the considerable speed difference between the cars, the driver of car 77 could have avoided overtaking under the red flag.'
Bottas has also had two penalties points added to his superlicence, his first in the last 12 months.
The Finnish driver claimed Williams' first podium finish in five races last time out in Mexico and would likely be in the fight with Ferrari for the second row of the grid in Saturday's qualifying session at Interlagos.
Bottas finished sixth fastest in Practice Two, when less than three tenths covered Ferrari, Red Bull and Williams.
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