BREAKING: FIA Issues Red Bull Penalty Verdict Over Max Verstappen In…read more
BREAKING: FIA Issues Red Bull Penalty Verdict Over Max Verstappen In…read more
Following an investigation into Max Verstappen’s actions during sprint qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA has issued its verdict.
The incident under scrutiny involved Verstappen and Lando Norris in SQ1, where Verstappen’s Red Bull appeared to impede Norris. Norris expressed his frustration, claiming Verstappen had held him up during a flying lap. However, the FIA’s investigation centered on a separate incident in SQ2.
The FIA summoned Verstappen and a Red Bull representative to address potential breaches of Article 33.4 of the sporting regulations and Article 12.2.1 i) of the international sporting code, which concern driving unnecessarily slowly and general sporting misconduct, respectively.
The official FIA statement detailed their findings:
“The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), the team representative and reviewed video, timing, telemetry and in-car video evidence and determined as follows:
“Car 1 was around 6 seconds above the required minimum time between Safety Car Lines 1 and 2 for one lap in SQ2, but complied with the requirement in all other laps.
“Telemetry showed that the driver was driving with a constant speed throughout the lap without any other cars around as if he was managing the delta at approx. 6 seconds off the relevant number.
“During the hearing the team stated that due to a false programming in the car the delta time displayed in the car had an offset of 6 seconds and whilst the driver was managing the delta displayed he was constantly approx. 6 seconds above the minimum time. The team identified the problem by the end of the first cool-down lap and immediately instructed the driver to manage his speed in a way that he would be min. 6 seconds below the delta time displayed in the car, which he did in all following laps. This was confirmed by the telemetry.
“The Stewards acknowledge that, whilst there has been a breach of the regulations, VER did not drive “unnecessarily slowly” based on the information he had in the car and did not impede any other cars or create any dangerous situation and therefore determine that a penalty for the driver is not warranted. However, a Reprimand to the team is issued as they are responsible for ensuring that correct timing information is displayed in the car.
“It is worth noting that in different circumstances a more severe penalty might be applied for a similar infringement.”
In summary, while Verstappen was found to have breached regulations, the stewards determined that he did not drive “unnecessarily slowly” or create a dangerous situation, given the incorrect information displayed in his car due to a team error. Consequently, Verstappen received no penalty, but Red Bull Racing received an official reprimand.
