Verstappen cleared of penalty after... under VSC in Baku.

Verstappen cleared of penalty after… under VSC in Baku. Read more

Max Verstappen has avoided a penalty for overtaking under the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) towards the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver receiving a warning instead. The incident occurred during a dramatic conclusion to the race, which saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri take victory after a late crash involving Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez on the penultimate lap.

The crash between Sainz and Perez brought out the Virtual Safety Car as marshals worked to clear the wreckage, essentially neutralizing the race due to the limited number of laps remaining. With the VSC in place, drivers are required to slow down and maintain position until the race concludes. However, after the chequered flag had been waved, Verstappen, along with Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg, were reported for passing cars under the VSC, which is typically prohibited.

All four drivers were summoned by the race stewards to explain their actions following the race. While overtaking after the chequered flag is not uncommon in standard racing conditions, doing so under yellow flags, the Safety Car, or Virtual Safety Car protocols is against the rules, as these measures are in place to ensure safety on the track. Despite this breach, the stewards opted not to issue any formal penalties but instead gave the drivers a warning.

In a statement, the stewards acknowledged that while overtaking after the race finishes is typically allowed, special caution is required under safety conditions like the VSC. They pointed out that drivers might not have full visibility of emergency vehicles or track marshals attending to the incident on the circuit, making the situation potentially dangerous.

The stewards’ statement read: “While passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, Safety Car, or Virtual Safety Car procedures. While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution.”

Despite Verstappen and the other drivers being cleared of any serious wrongdoing, the stewards stressed that further incidents of this nature would not be treated so leniently. “The Stewards are aware that this has happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time. We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties.”

This warning serves as a reminder to all drivers of the importance of following safety protocols, especially under caution periods like the VSC or Safety Car. The stewards’ decision to issue only a warning reflects the fact that this rule infringement has been