Davide Valsecchi has been issued with a five-place grid penalty for tomorrow''s GP2 race in Monaco after being judged to have caused an avoidable accident at the end of qualifying this afternoon.
The reigning GP2 Asia Series champion had just crossed the line to complete his final flying lap when he arrived at Ste Devote to find yellow flags out for the crashed car of Pastor Maldonado, who had lost control and hit the barriers moments earlier. Taken by surprise, Valsecchi was unable to slow down in time and collided with Maldonado's stationary car.
The penalty demotes the Italian from seventh to 12th and completes a difficult afternoon for the iSport team, with Oliver Turvey qualifying in last place after hitting the wall at Mirabeau.