Six GP2 drivers, including series champion Pastor Maldonado and front-row qualifier Dani Clos, have been issued with 10-place grid penalties for tomorrow's feature race in Abu Dhabi.
The pair were among six drivers deemed to have ignored the red light at the pit exit at the end of today's qualifying session.
As a result, Racing Engineering's Clos, who was preparing to start alongside pole-sitter Oliver Turvey, will drop to 12th. Maldonado, who was a subdued 15th fastest, will make up the penultimate row alongside Ho-Pin Tung, with fellow "infringer" Jerome D'Ambrosio of DAMS joining Federico Leo at the back.
Also affected are ART duo Jules Bianchi and Sam Bird, who had originally qualified sixth and 10th, respectively, and Addax's Giedo van der Garde, who had qualified eighth.
The penalties mean that Sergio Perez has been promoted from third to second on the grid, providing a massive boost to the Mexican's hopes of securing second in the championship.