No Pals Act as Felipe Nasr Penalised For Blocking Felipe Massa

Brazil's Felipe Nasr was handed a three-place grid penalty for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix after the race stewards adjudged him to have impeded his friend and compatriot Felipe Massa in qualifying on Saturday. (Nico Rosberg Takes Pole Position for Brazilian Grand Prix)

The incident took place in Q1 when Sauber driver Nasr appeared to block his fellow-Brazilian's Williams.

"Felipe maybe didn't see me and he just blocked my lap," said Massa. "I almost couldn't get to Q2. (Racecentre)

"He told me his information was that (Valtteri) Bottas was behind him. Bottas let me by, but Nasr blocked my lap."

Nasr qualified 11th, moved up one place thanks to a penalty for Australian Daniel Ricciardo -- who had a new Renault engine in his Red Bull car -- and will start the race from 13th.