Blocking penalties mix up US starting grid

F1 Grand Prix, GP United States, Circuit of The Americas

In the hours following qualifying for the United States Grand Prix, a number of incidents have been investigated by the stewards that led to penalties for

Esteban Gutierrez is the most notable loser of the day as a 10- place grid penalty drops him from 10th to 20th on the grid. The stewards considered an incident where the Mexican was weaving across the track to get heat into his tyres, thereby forcing Pastor Maldonado to take avoiding action.

"Car No 12 (Gutierrez) unnecessarily impeded Car No 16 (Maldonado) between Turns 19 and 20 whilst performing manoeuvres that the stewards consider dangerous," read the official statement. "An incident as defined by Article 16.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations."

Marussia driver Max Chilton meanwhile was also penalised for two separate incidents, one involving Adrian Sutil and another with Pastor Maldonado. Chilton was handed a drive through penalty which he must serve during the first 5 laps of the race.

Earlier in the weekend, Jenson Button was handed a 3-place grid penalty for overtaking under a red flag during FP1. This drops him from 13th to 15th (3 places down, and then gaining one due to the demotion of Gutierrez).

At the back of the grid, Pic incurred a 5-place grid penalty for changing his car's gearbox on Saturday morning. He starts from the back of the grid.

Following these penalties, the starting grid looks as follows.