BREAKING NEWS: Max Verstappen under investigation after Azerbaijan Grand Prix as race ends in…read more
Max Verstappen under investigation after Azerbaijan Grand Prix as race ends in…read more
Max Verstappen is facing an investigation for a potential virtual safety car (VSC) infringement after a chaotic conclusion to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The reigning world champion, who finished the race in P5, has been summoned by the race stewards for allegedly overtaking other cars after the chequered flag while VSC conditions were in place. The incident has raised questions about whether Verstappen may lose the positions he gained in the final stages of the race.
The controversy surrounding Verstappen comes after a dramatic race in Baku, where he managed to climb into fifth position following a collision between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz on the penultimate lap. The incident allowed Verstappen to gain two spots, but it may also be the reason for his undoing, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Race stewards noted the potential breach shortly after the race concluded, reviewing on-board footage from Verstappen’s RB20. The footage revealed the 26-year-old Dutch driver pulling alongside both Lando Norris, his main title rival, and George Russell from Mercedes. Verstappen appeared to be congratulating the two drivers following the race, but the timing of these maneuvers under VSC conditions is under scrutiny.
Despite this, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was one to forget for Verstappen, who was off the pace throughout the weekend. After Norris was surprisingly eliminated in Q1 during qualifying, Verstappen had a golden opportunity to gain points in the championship battle. However, he ultimately finished just one place behind the McLaren driver, missing out on the chance to close the gap.
Verstappen’s struggles were compounded by his lack of pace relative to teammate Sergio Perez, who has a strong record in Baku. Perez, known for his success on the street circuit, was on course for his first podium finish in 12 races before his clash with Sainz ended his hopes. The collision between the two drivers not only impacted their individual results but also dealt a blow to Red Bull’s efforts in the Constructors’ Championship, where McLaren is gaining momentum.
McLaren, led by young Australian driver Oscar Piastri, enjoyed a standout performance in Azerbaijan. Piastri secured his second career Grand Prix victory, capitalizing on the chaotic race to take the top spot. His victory has further cemented McLaren’s resurgence in recent months, as the team continues to improve and challenge for wins.
Reflecting on his win, Piastri expressed pride in how far McLaren has come since he joined the team. “It definitely goes down as one of the better races of my career,” he said after taking the chequered flag. “Considering where we started when I joined the team last year, we were literally last. Now, we’re leading the world championship. It’s a credit to the team for the turnaround in the last 18 months, and they’ve improved me as well. It’s a massive team effort, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
McLaren’s strong showing in Baku means they now hold a 20-point advantage over Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, adding further pressure on Verstappen and his team heading into the next race in Singapore. While Verstappen remains a dominant force in Formula 1, the events in Azerbaijan highlight the competitive nature of this year’s championship, with McLaren emerging as a genuine threat.
As the investigation into Verstappen’s actions continues, the outcome could have significant implications not just for the race result, but for the overall standings. The Dutch driver, who has three world titles under his belt, will be hoping to avoid a penalty and regain momentum as the season progresses. However, with McLaren on the rise and his rivals pushing hard, the path to another championship is far from certain.
The Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for next weekend, will be a crucial test for all the teams, especially Red Bull, as they look to bounce back from a challenging weekend in Baku and maintain their title hopes.
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