F1 - Marcus Ericsson gets grid penalty after qualifying for Italian GP

Marcus Ericsson has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. Sauber driver Ericsson will fall from 10th to 13th on the grid at Monza after being found guilty by the stewards of impeding Force India's Nico Hulkenberg during the first part of qualifying.

Hulkenberg was on a flying lap in Q1 when Ericsson pulled across on to the German's racing line on the approach into the Parabolica. Ericsson has also been handed two penalty points on his licence, and is now up to seven for the relevant 12-month period. The Swede blamed the team for failing to provide him with the information Hulkenberg was approaching on a fast lap.

Speaking to Autosport Ericsson said:

"Basically, in our team we have a system where the team gets information on the screens in the pitbox, whether another driver is on a quick or slow lap. Then they communicate that to me over the radio. So when I'm out on a slow lap they tell me whether a car is coming or pushing, or on pace with me. 

So I get the call from the team everyone is on pace with me, no cars coming, to focus on preparing for a new lap, the tyres and all the switch changes I need to do. I was following the Ferraris, doing the preparations, the switch changes, and I then enter the Parabolica and when I exit I see Nico is right behind me. 

I had no idea he was coming on a flying lap. I got the information no one else was pushing behind me.  I can see on the replay it doesn't look good, but I had no idea he was coming. I understand the penalty."

Ericsson and Hulkenberg were later involved in a second incident in Q1, but the Swede has avoided any further punishment for the additional misdemeanour.