Hulkenberg handed 10-place grid drop for Monza

Nico Hulkenberg has been hit with a 10-place grid penalty for next weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza for causing the start-line collision at Spa that resulted in Fernando Alonso's car being thrown into the air.

Hulkenberg broke late on the run to La Source, causing him to run into the back of Alonso's car, which was then thrown into the air and went over Charles Leclerc's Sauber, glancing the Halo cockpit protection in the process.

The FIA stewards called for both Alonso and Hulkenberg after the race to find out more about the incident, before handing down a 10-place grid penalty and three penalty points on the FIA super license to Hulkenberg.

"The Stewards reviewed video evidence, heard from the driver of car 27 (Nico Hulkenberg) and the team representatives. The driver of car 27 stated that he completely misjudged the situation and freely admitted it was his mistake," the stewards said.

"It should be noted that since 2014 the FIA has introduced the penalty points system which takes into account previous offences by a driver and can lead to a race suspension if 12 points are accumulated within a 12 month period. This system was not in force when an incident not dissimilar to this, occurred in 2012."

Speaking about the incident after the race, Hulkenberg took full blame for causing it, calling it a "misjudgment".

"It is just incredible after finding out again on Lap 1 how sensitive these cars are with aerodynamics, when you have a few cars that bunch up in front of you, how much grip and load you lose," Hulkenberg explained.

"When I hit the brakes I instantly locked up the front wheels, and just sliding into Fernando. Probably a misjudgement from my side, a bit too late on the brakes, a bit too keen, and frustrating for him, for Charles as well, and also for me."