Italian GP: Ericsson penalised, will start from the pitlane

Marcus Ericsson will have to start the Italian Grand Prix from the pitlane after the Formula 1 stewards ruled that he had failed to heed yellow flags in final practice

As Ericsson qualified last in the 22-car field anyway, he cannot take a grid demotion and must therefore take the pitlane start.

The incident occurred at the Curva Grande, where Sergio Perez had parked his Force India with a hydraulic problem, during practice three.

A report from the stewards, who are assisted by ex-F1 driver Derek Warwick this weekend, said that Caterham's telemetry showed Ericsson "did not slow for double waved yellow flags" at the Curva Grande.

Ericsson is the second driver to receive a penalty heading into the Italian GP, after Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat was demoted from 11th to 21st on the grid due to having to take his sixth engine of the 2014 season.

KOBAYASHI BUOYS TEAM

While Ericsson has had a troubled day, his Caterham team-mate Kamui Kobayashi buoyed the squad by beating both Marussias in qualifying - putting him 18th once Kvyat's penalty is applied.

It marked the first time since the Chinese GP in April that a Caterham had managed to beat both Marussias in qualifying.

"I'm very happy with today's qualifying result," said Kobayashi, who only had a last-minute call-up to rejoin the team this weekend after being benched for Spa in favour of Andre Lotterer.

"I think the updates we introduced in Spa are working well and this is very positive news for the team.

"I didn't have much time in the car yesterday, but I think it has been a very good comeback."