Latifi handed Japanese GP grid penalty for Zhou clash

Williams' Nicholas Latifi has been handed a five-place grid penalty for next week's Japanese Grand Prix following his collisions with Alfa's Zhou Guanyu in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix.

The two drivers came together in the early stages of the race at Marina Bay, on lap 7 when Zhou initiated an overtake on Latifi on the outside of Turn 5.

As he attempted to complete the maneuver, Zhou was squeezed into the wall by the Williams driver, which led to damage to the Alfa's front right corner and to the Chinese driver's retirement on the spot.

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Latifi also hit the wall but the Canadian made his way back to the pits for a front wing change. But as the race was neutralized under the safety car, Latifi was eventually forced to retire his Williams.

"The stewards reviewed the video evidence and determined that Latifi was predominantly to blame for the collision," noted the Stewards.

"Zhou was attempting to overtake Latifi on a straight approaching turn five and had sufficient room, taking the normal racing line.

"Latifi pulled to the left, not leaving one car width to Zhou and resulting in significant contact between the cars."

The five-place sanction handed to Latifi by the stewards will be applied at next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

The Canadian was also given two penalty points on his superlicence, putting his total at three points over a rolling 12-month period.

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