World Champion Fernando Alonso has been relegated to 10th place on the grid for impeding Felipe Massa during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
Alonso, who had qualified in fifth position, was summoned by the Monza stewards after Ferrari driver Massa complained that the Spaniard had blocked him during his final run.
“On Q3 on my last run, I came up behind Alonso who was also setting out on his quick lap. I lost at least three tenths,” said Massa after qualifying.
Alonso said he had not blocked the Brazilian, but the Monza stewards concluded differently and have penalized the Renault driver by deleting his three fastest laps and relegating him to 10th place on the starting grid.
The penalty means he will start eight positions behind championship rival Michael Schumacher, who is 12 points behind him in the standings with four races to go.