Hamilton's Austrian GP grid position confirmed after farcical delay

Lewis Hamilton will start the Austrian Grand Prix fourth it has been confirmed, despite taking a three-place grid penalty after qualifying second-fastest at the Red Bull Ring.

Different teams were reportedly offered different versions of the grid for Sunday's race, with the confusing topic of grid penalties rearing its uglier side for the first time in 2019.

Six drivers are taking grid penalties in Spielberg, with Nico Hulkenberg, George Russell, Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz all towards the back of the grid.

However, Kevin Magnussen's superb effort to qualify fifth-fastest - with a five-place drop hanging over him - muddied the waters.

It remained unclear for some four hours after qualifying in which order the penalties would be applied, and where Hamilton would start.

It was finally confirmed that once Magnussen's penalty was applied, it left a vacant spot in the top five, meaning Hamilton would not drop below Lando Norris, who qualified in sixth.

UPDATE@LewisHamilton will start FOURTH in Austria, as his penalty is applied after Kevin Magnussen's.#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/pLsXJAmBc4

— GPFans Global (@GPFansGlobal) June 29, 2019

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