Lewis Hamilton has been stripped of his third place finish in the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix after picking up a post-race time penalty.

The Mercedes driver clashed with Alex Albon on the penultimate lap of the race, pitching the Red Bull driver into a spin that demoted him to 15th.

Hamilton fell to third as Pierre Gasly snuck through and held off the Brit, who had recovered from the moment, to claim his maiden F1 podium.

Investigated post race, stewards handed Hamilton a five-second penalty which demoted him seventh in the final wash-up, behind Daniel Ricciardo.

Their decision was reached based on television footage, including CCTV.

“Car 44 (Hamilton) attempted to pass on the inside but was unable to get far enough inside to accomplish the overtake and by the time he realised there would not be sufficient room he was unable to back out of the situation and the collision followed,” the stewards’ decision read.

“The Stewards determined that Car 44 predominantly at fault for the collision with Car 23 at Turn 10 and therefore ordered a five-second penalty.”

Speaking after the race, Hamilton acknowledged the incident, and accepted the blame for his part in it.

“I massively apologise to Albon,” he said

“I went for a move that, the gap was kind of there, but obviously it closed right at the end. Completely my fault.”

Hamilton’s penalty promotes Sainz and McLaren onto the podium, the former’s first F1 podium and McLaren’s first since the 2014 Australian Grand Prix.

Formula 1 next moves to Abu Dhabi for the season finale on November 29-December 1.

Race results: Brazilian Grand Prix Updated

Fastest lap: Valtteri Bottas

Drivers’ championship Updated

Constructors’ championship Updated