Grosjean under threat of race ban after blocking Hamilton in Singapore

Romain Grosjean is on the precipice of earning a race ban after he was guilty of "one of the worst cases of ignoring blue flags" during the Singapore Grand Prix. Grosjean was handed a five-second penalty after almost causing race leaders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to collide while he was battling the Williams of Sergey Sirotkin.

Hamilton described the incident as a "heart in the mouth" moment as he closed onto the tail of the quarrelling backmarkers, who continued to battle despite blue flags being issued.

Grosjean was also given two penalty points over the matter, taking his total over the past 12 months to nine. If he picks up three more points over the next four grands prix he will incur a race ban.

"Romain just completely forgot the golden rule of blue flags," said FIA race director Charlie Whiting.

"And that is if you are in a battle you've got to forget about your own battle and move over.

"I've drilled that into them many times, and I think he completely forgot about it.

"He was so intent on his battle with Sirotkin that he just – the light panels were flashing with his race number on them – and Lewis was much, much faster.

"It was probably one of the worst cases of ignoring blue flags that I've seen for a long time."

Grosjean accepted the penalty was fair, but said he was not willing to compromise his own race to allow the leaders through easier.

"I'm sorry if I blocked anyone, it was not my intention," said the Haas driver.

"I believe I did my best. I was fighting with Sergey, who was playing a little bit of go-kart racing out there.

"I couldn't really slow down. Pierre [Gasly] was on my gearbox and Sergey was on my front wing, so I passed him, then as soon as I passed him, I let Lewis by."