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Max Verstappen gets five-place grid penalty, loses front row start

Max Verstappen has lost his position on the front row of the grid at the Qatar Grand Prix as a punishment for not slowing for double-waved yellow flags in qualifying.

Verstappen qualified behind title rival Lewis Hamilton on Saturday but was investigated for what happened at the end of his final lap. Verstappen exited the final corner and passed double yellow flags on the left of the circuit, which are shown to indicate an accident and tell drivers to slow down.

Verstappen improved on that lap, which raised speculation he had not eased off the throttle. Audio from onboard footage also suggested he did not lift off the throttle as he passed the yellow flags.