The McLaren driver was approaching the pit lane entrance at speed when Antonio Giovinazzi crashed his♚ Alf✅a 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 Norris continued past the pits after some confusion over team radio.

Norris asked if he should “box or continue” to which his team replied: “If you can, b🍌ox,” before the Brit🐻on 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.

Norris qualified sixth but will now drop to nin෴th 🍸for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

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

The stewards explained that they would normally issue a five-place grid pen🦄alty 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 period up to eight.