Sainz to start home Spanish GP 20th after three-place grid penalty

Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain lies 16th in the drivers’ ​championship with six points. | Photo Credit: AP

Carlos Sainz will start the Spanish Grand Prix ​20th on the grid on his home ‌turf after receiving a three-place penalty ​for impeding Cadillac’s Valtteri ⁠Bottas in Saturday’s qualifying session.

The 32-year-old Williams driver was penalised for impeding Bottas through ‌Turns 6 and 7 during the first phase of qualifying.

“The ‌team failed to inform the ‌driver ⁠of Car 55 about Car ⁠77 closing in on a flying lap, and the driver did not take any action ​to make ‌way for the incoming car,” the FIA said in a statement. “The Stewards determine that Car 55 unnecessarily impeded ‌Car 77.”

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The penalty drops Sainz ​to 20th on the grid and moves fellow Spaniard Fernando ⁠Alonso of Aston Martin, Cadillac’s Sergio Perez and Bottas up one place each ‌for Sunday’s 57-lap race, the first Formula One grand prix to be held at the Madring.

Sainz, a former Ferrari driver and four-time race winner, has endured a frustrating ‌campaign and lies 16th in the drivers’ ​championship with six points. Williams is ninth in the 11-team constructors’ ⁠standings.

Formula One champion Lando Norris secured ⁠pole position for McLaren with a superb final lap at the ‌Madring, beating Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.011 seconds.