The McLaren driver was approaching the pit lane entrance at speed﷽ when Antonꦅio Giovinazzi crashed his Alfa Romeo at Turn 15, resulting in a red flag.

Drivers are required to return to the pit lane as soon as possible when a red flag is flown but No💖rris continued past the pits after some confusion over team radio.

Norris asked if he should “box 𓆏or continue” to which his team replied: “If you can, box,” before the Briton responded “I can’t, I’⛎m too late.”

Following an investigation into the incident, the Baku stewards ruled Norris had breached red flag procedures and 🌠handed him a three-place grid drop.

ඣNorris qualified sixth but will now dro🍌p to ninth for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Speaking to media directly after qualifying had ended, Norris admitted he wasn’t even aware he was being inveꦿstigated.

The ✤stewards explained that they would normally issue a five-place grid penalty for such a breach, but acknowledged that Norris did not ♋have long to react.

Norris has also received three penalty points on his licence, taking his total for the current 12-month p💜eriod up to eight.