Sebastien BuemiSebastien Buemi has been penalized three places on the Belgian Grand Prix starting grid for blocking Nico Rosberg during qualifying.

The Toro Rosso driver was just ahead of Rosberg and the German's Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher on track during their final laps of Q2.

Neither Mercedes driver was able to make it into Q3 and Schumacher was heard complaining about traffic over the pit-to-car radio afterwards.

The race stewards deemed that the Swiss driver had breached Article 31.7 of the FIA F1 sporting regulations by impeding Rosberg and issued the penalty.

Buemi qualified 15th on the grid. He was due to start 13th as both Mercedes drivers ahead have to serve penalties, but he will drop five places along with Rosberg, Schumacher and Virgin's Timo Glock.