Hamilton was hauled in front of the stewards, but after hearing from the world champion, and reviewing the video evidence, they deemed he “unnecessarily impeded” Raikkonen, throwing the Brit down the grid.

“I totally deserved the penalty and have no problem accepting it,” said Hamilton. “It was a mistake on my behalf, and I take full responsibly. It wasn’t intentional.”

Hamilton’s Mercedes boss Toto Wolff added: “The rule book says if you impede someone, and it is clear, then you get a three-place penalty.

“It is not the driver’s fault, but there is a precedent, and we have to accept that.”

Hamilton’s punishment has played its part in today’s  topsy-turvy grid, providing hope of an exciting race – much-needed after last week’s tedious affair in France.

Leclerc will line up from the front for the second time in his career, the power-heavy track suiting the straight-line grunt in his Ferrari. The young Monegasque will be the favourite to win his first grand prix and end Mercedes’ unbeaten streak.

Meanwhile, Norris, the teenager from Somerset, has adapted to Formula One life with staggering ease. Here, he got the very best out of his McLaren to qualify sixth, before he was bumped up one spot after Magnussen’s punishment.

Norris’s fellow novice George Russell beat Robert Kubica in the sister Williams to extend his qualifying record over the Pole to a remarkable 9-0.

But the 21-year-old Englishman will start from the back of the pack, like Hamilton, penalised three places for blocking another driver, this time the Toro Rosso of Daniil Kvyat.

Final Times after Qualifying

1. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1min 03.003secs
2. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:03.262
3. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:03.439
4. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:03.537
5. Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:04.072
6. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:04.099
7. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:04.166
8. Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:04.179
9. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:04.199
10. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari No Time Set
11. Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:04.490
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:04.516
13. Alexander Albon (Tha) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:04.665
14. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:04.790
15. Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:13.601
16. Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:04.789
17. Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:04.832
18. Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:05.324
19. George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:05.904
20. Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams 1:06.206