McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton lost what would have been his third pole position of the season in the Spanish Grand Prix due to a rules violation in qualifying for the Barcelona race.
Race officials disqualified the Briton for having too little fuel left in his tank, after delivering a time that would have been good enough for the pole position.
Hamilton will still be allowed to drive in Sunday’s fifth race of the Formula One season, but must start from the back of the grid.
The penalty, announced late Saturday, leaves Williams driver Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela in pole position, while every other driver moves up one position.
In his previous two pole positions this season, Hamilton settled for third place and is still looking for his first victory of the season.
