Hamilton disqualified from Brazil GP qualifying, Verstappen fined

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from Friday's qualifying session ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix for a technical infringement regarding his DRS system, F1 announced.

As a result, the seven-time champion, who was slated to start first in Saturday's sprint qualifying, will start from the back of the grid.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who leads the championship, will start from the front after he posted the second-fastest lap time Friday.

Hamilton went fastest during Friday's qualifying session for the sprint race. However, the stewards summoned Hamilton and impounded the rear wing of his Mercedes due to a DRS infringement.

The investigation later determined the rear wing on Hamilton's Mercedes had a technical fault that gave him a competitive advantage.

The Brit was already facing a five-place grid penalty for taking a new power unit this weekend. Wherever Hamilton places during Saturday's sprint will therefore be reduced by five spots for Sunday's grand prix.

Meanwhile, Verstappen has been fined for inspecting Hamilton's rear wing at parc ferme immediately following the qualifying session, during which the Dutchman finished second, F1 also announced.

While getting out of his car, Verstappen appears to walk to the rear of his vehicle, inspect his own wing, then proceed to check Hamilton's.

Verstappen's fine reportedly amounts to €50,000, according to Andrew Benson of BBC.

Red Bull, which trails Mercedes by one point, now seems primed to take the constructor's championship lead Saturday. Three points are awarded to the driver who places first during the sprint race, with two points going to second and one to third. Verstappen will start from first while teammate Sergio Perez starts from third. Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas will be in between the two Red Bulls.

Verstappen leads Hamilton in the driver's standings by 19 points.