Max Verstappen faces post-race investigation along with five....

Max Verstappen faces post-race investigation along with five…. drivers and McLaren. Read more

After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in 2024, multiple drivers and a team are under investigation by the stewards for various incidents that took place during and after the race. Among the six drivers being investigated is Max Verstappen, the highest-placed driver under scrutiny and the only one from the group who scored points in the race.

Verstappen, along with Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, and both Alpine drivers, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, are under investigation for an alleged infringement during the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period. This VSC period was triggered on the penultimate lap of the race following a collision between Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jnr and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

The stewards have announced that they are investigating whether the drivers overtook other cars under VSC conditions after crossing the chequered flag. According to the rules, no overtaking is allowed during the VSC period, even after the race concludes. The incident reportedly occurred after the cars crossed the finish line while the VSC was still in effect.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton raised concerns over his radio during the race, claiming that he saw Nico Hulkenberg overtaking him and other drivers while the VSC was active. Verstappen, however, denied any wrongdoing in his post-race interview with Sky Sports. The Red Bull driver stated, “I didn’t pass under the Virtual Safety Car. We crossed the line, the race is finished, and there are a lot of examples in the past, this year as well, when we have done exactly the same thing. So for me I’m a bit surprised.”

The confusion surrounding the VSC and the alleged overtaking incidents adds an extra layer of tension following what was already an eventful race. While Verstappen is adamant that he did not break any rules, the final decision lies with the race stewards. If the investigation concludes that any of the drivers involved did indeed overtake illegally, they could face penalties that might affect the final race classification and points distribution.

The investigation isn’t limited to just the four drivers mentioned. The stewards are also looking into the collision between Sainz and Perez, which directly led to the VSC being deployed. The incident took place on the straight between turns two and three as Perez attempted to overtake Sainz. The resulting collision saw both cars sustain damage, although they managed to continue racing until the chequered flag. Both drivers have been summoned to meet with the stewards at 5:30 pm local time to explain their actions and provide their side of the story.

As with the alleged VSC infractions, the outcome of this investigation could result in penalties, which may alter the race results depending on the findings.

Additionally, McLaren is also facing scrutiny following today’s race. The team is under investigation for a potential breach of pit lane regulations. According to the rules, team personnel are only permitted to be in the pit lane immediately before working on a car, and they must leave as soon as their work is finished. The stewards have raised concerns that McLaren may have violated this rule by having team personnel and equipment in the pit lane during the race when they were not allowed to. The team has been summoned to a meeting with the stewards at 5:20 pm local time to address these allegations.

The post-race investigations have added an unexpected layer of drama to what was already a tense and closely-fought race at the Baku City Circuit. As of now, the final results are pending, with potential penalties hanging over both drivers and a team. The decisions from the stewards will be closely watched, as they could significantly impact the race’s final standings and potentially the championship points for several drivers.

This series of investigations highlights the complexities of Formula 1’s regulations, where even seemingly minor incidents can have far-reaching consequences for both teams and drivers. As the teams and fans await the stewards’ verdicts, the anticipation builds, with the potential for dramatic shifts in the outcome of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.