Angry Grosjean “completely blocked” by Hamilton in Q3

Hamilton, who was just opening his first qualifying run, was investigated by stewards after the session over the incident.

On the radio on his in-lap, Grosjean complained: “Mercedes needs better GPS – unbelievable”.

He will now start 10th, but if he had beaten Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren it would have elevated him to eighth due to Valtteri Bottas’s grid penalty.

After the session, Grosjean told NBC Sports: “My first run in Q3 was really good, I got completely blocked by Hamilton in the last corner and lost a good three tenths.

“[It cost] at least one position, I would have had Vandoorne at least. Very unhappy with my first attempt being completely ruined at the last corner.

“Great to be in Q3, but there was so much more to be had, so I’m disappointed.”

Grosjean also explained that his second push lap was affected by a rear lock-up at Village.

“For the second run we thought it was going to be fine, then I got to Turn 3 and out of the blue I had a massive rear lock,” he added. “That lost almost half a second.

“I made it back through the lap, so I think we had much more performance than we showed.” 

Hamilton refutes claim

When asked about the incident, Hamilton said he had not been told he had a car behind him, but added that he didn't think Grosjean was "that close" to him.

"I was coming around to start my lap, Valtteri [Bottas] up ahead, I was trying to get the space behind me was one of the Force Indias, who then came in, so there was no one behind me," recalled Hamilton.

"Literally as I was about to get on the gas I looked in the mirror and saw a car, and I tried to get going – I I don’t know if I got in the way, if I did I apologise.

"I had no indication from the team that anyone was coming. I need to look at the footage. I don’t think he was that close when I pulled away, but I will have a look."