The Mercedes pilots George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have to go back in the starting line-up at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
As the sports commissioners from the FIA automotive association announced on Saturday evening, Russell and Antonelli were sent out of their garage too early in the second section of qualifying when the session was resumed. Haas-Pilot Esteban Ocon had previously triggered a red flag with an accident.
Russell does not start in third place on Sunday (5:00 p.m./Sky), but behind Ferraris Charles Leclerc. Antonelli goes into the race from fifth place. The pole position secured McLaren driver Oscar Piatri.
Mercedes had left the two drivers out of the garage before announcing the restart time. As a result, they had an advantage over the other teams that followed the rules and were able to drive on the track before the competition.