Hamilton set the fastest time in opening practice but that was soon tarnished by a stewards’ ruling that he had ignored double waved yellow flags late in the session while crews were retrieving another car near the edge of the track.

It was the latest in a series of stewards’ punishments this season for Hamilton, who had previously expressed frustration with the frequency of the sanctions and had asked whether he was being singled out by the officials.

Sauber driver Sergio Perez was penalized for the same offense earlier in the session, and will also drop three grid spots.