Hamilton under investigation after Brazil GP sprint edge

SAO PAULO: World champion Lewis Hamilton on Friday dominated qualifying at the Brazil Grand Prix but then found himself facing demotion to the back of the grid for Saturday’s sprint race after Mercedes were placed under investigation for a potential breach of technical rules.

Hamilton edged out title rival Max Verstappen for first place on the grid for the 24-lap sprint which in turn decides the starting order for Sunday’s race at Interlagos.

However, race stewards were investigating whether or not the DRS system (the flap mounted on the rear wing of the car which opens to gain top speed) had exceeded allowed limits.

Mercedes were summoned to a hearing but late on Friday the stewards said it was adjourned until Saturday morning as they await further evidence.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton, who trails Verstappen by 19 points in the title race, had already been hit with a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s main event after the engine was changed on his Mercedes.

“I’m so happy to be back in Brazil. Just a big thank you to all the team, they’ve been working flat-out. Today was a really good qualifying,” said Hamilton before the investigation was launched.

“It’s been so long – it’s like the first time,” added the 36-year-old who had not set the fastest time in qualifying since Hungary in August.

However, aware that Verstappen has won the last two races in the United States and Mexico, he added to Sky Sports: “I don’t know how we can go from one track where they are half a second quicker to this.”

The Briton posted a fastest time of 1min 07.934sec, four tenths quicker than his Dutch rival.

“When they take a new engine naturally they have a bit more power for the weekend, so for me it’s not a big shock,” said Verstappen.