14/05/2017
NEWS STORY
McLaren youngster Stoffel Vandoorne, who has been given grid penalties for the last two races following engine and power unit component changes, has been handed a penalty for the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix two weeks before arriving in the Principality.
The Belgian youngster has been handed a three-place grid penalty following the clash with Felipe Massa during today's Spanish Grand Prix which culminated in the McLaren driver heading off into the gravel trap necessitating a Virtual Safety Car period.
Vandoorne was defending his position when Massa made a move under braking down the inside going into Turn 1. The Brazilian was alongside the McLaren when the Belgian turned in and the two touched wheels.
Deeming that Vandoorne "drove in a manner which caused him to collide with" Massa they handed the McLaren driver the three-place penalty and 2 points for his licence, this in addition to the point he received in Russia for rejoining the track incorrectly after running wide.
"I wasn't really expecting Felipe to be there," he admitted. "I think I left enough space for him to be able to pass but unfortunately we made contact and my front wheel broke, so that was the end of the race for me.
"In my personal opinion it was just a racing incident," he added.
Clearly the stewards didn't agree.