Sergio Perez has been handed a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Australian GP after impeding Nico Hulkenberg. Perez’ position has been adjusted from third to sixth due as a result of the penalty. Max Verstappen, Perez’s teammate at Red Bull, secures pole position, with Carlos Sainz of Ferrari trailing in second. The stewards explained: ‘Hulkenberg was on a fast lap when he approached turn 13. Perez, who was on an out lap was at the apex of the turn and Hulkenberg had to leave the racing line to drive around him. Perez, 34, holds the second position in the drivers’ championship after securing second place in the opening races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

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