<p>Max Verstappen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix and will start the race from seventh, with his Formula One world title rival Lewis Hamilton on pole position.</p>.<p>The Dutchman, who leads Hamilton by 14 points in the standings with three races remaining in the season, has been penalised for "not respecting" double waved yellow flags during qualifying.</p>.<p>Verstappen had qualified in second originally, but will be replaced on the front row by Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly.</p>.<p>Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas was also slapped with a three-place grid penalty and will start from sixth.</p>.<p>The Finn was penalised for "not slowing down" under yellow flags during Saturday's third qualifying session, which Hamilton dominated.</p>.<p>The news is a major blow to Verstappen's hopes of a maiden world championship crown and gives Hamilton a boost in his bid for a record-breaking eighth title.</p>.<p>Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has been promoted from fifth to third on the grid, with McLaren's Lando Norris joining the veteran Spaniard on the second row.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Max Verstappen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix and will start the race from seventh, with his Formula One world title rival Lewis Hamilton on pole position.</p>.<p>The Dutchman, who leads Hamilton by 14 points in the standings with three races remaining in the season, has been penalised for "not respecting" double waved yellow flags during qualifying.</p>.<p>Verstappen had qualified in second originally, but will be replaced on the front row by Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly.</p>.<p>Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas was also slapped with a three-place grid penalty and will start from sixth.</p>.<p>The Finn was penalised for "not slowing down" under yellow flags during Saturday's third qualifying session, which Hamilton dominated.</p>.<p>The news is a major blow to Verstappen's hopes of a maiden world championship crown and gives Hamilton a boost in his bid for a record-breaking eighth title.</p>.<p>Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has been promoted from fifth to third on the grid, with McLaren's Lando Norris joining the veteran Spaniard on the second row.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>