Stroll gets five-place grid drop after Sprint collision with Ocon

Lance Stroll will drop five places on the starting grid for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix after the FIA stewards found him wholly at fault for a collision with Esteban Ocon during Saturday’s Sprint at the Circuit of The Americas. The Aston Martin driver attempted an inside pass on Ocon into Turn 1 late in the 19‑lap Sprint, locked up, and made heavy contact that forced both cars to retire.

In a written ruling, the stewards said, "Car 18 attempted an inside overtake on Car 31 into Turn 1 but misjudged the braking point and collided with Car 31. The stewards determine that the driver of Car 18 is wholly at fault and apply a penalty accordingly. As the driver to be penalised did not finish the race a grid penalty equalling a 10 seconds time penalty is imposed." The five‑place drop will be applied to Stroll’s grid position after qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The stewards also added two penalty points to Stroll’s Super Licence, bringing his total to seven within the last 12 months.

Stroll briefly raised a hand as he slowed off the track, an action interpreted by team and paddock members as an apology to Ocon. Both drivers drove back to the pits with visibly damaged cars;...