Max Verstappen Under Investigation After Chaotic Azerbaijan READ MORE...

Max Verstappen Under Investigation After Chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Baku, Azerbaijan – The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended in high drama as Max Verstappen found himself at the center of an investigation by race stewards. The reigning World Champion, who has dominated much of the season, now faces scrutiny over a controversial incident that marred the closing stages of the race. As chaos unfolded on the tight streets of Baku, the FIA’s focus shifted to Verstappen, leaving fans and pundits in suspense over the race’s final outcome.The Incident in Question

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, known for its high-speed straights and unforgiving narrow sections, is no stranger to unpredictable outcomes. This year’s edition lived up to that reputation. The race had been running smoothly for much of the day until a safety car was deployed following a crash involving multiple cars with only a few laps remaining. As the race restarted, Verstappen found himself locked in a tense battle for the lead.

On lap 49, with only two laps remaining, Verstappen was involved in a controversial incident with fellow contender Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. The two drivers, pushing their cars to the limit on the final straight, made contact as Verstappen attempted an aggressive overtake. Leclerc, defending his position, was forced to take evasive action, veering off track and narrowly avoiding the barriers.

Though both drivers managed to continue, the move immediately caught the attention of the stewards, who announced an investigation into the incident. While Verstappen crossed the finish line in first place, his victory is now provisional, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Chaos Behind the Leaders

The Verstappen-Leclerc incident was just one part of the chaos that unfolded in the final laps. Behind the leaders, several mid-field drivers were also caught in dramatic battles, with multiple cars retiring due to collisions. The narrow streets of Baku once again proved unforgiving, as Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri both suffered race-ending crashes in separate incidents.

A late-race safety car, deployed after the crash involving Alonso, bunched up the field and set up a dramatic sprint to the finish. The restart saw frantic overtakes, with drivers taking risks in a bid to gain positions in the closing moments of the race.

In the midfield, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes capitalized on the chaos to finish third and fourth, respectively, following a race-long battle with Sergio Pérez, who struggled with tire degradation in his Red Bull. Hamilton’s podium finish keeps him within striking distance of Verstappen in the championship standings.

Verstappen’s Reaction

Speaking to the media after the race, Verstappen was defiant in his defense of the overtake on Leclerc. “It was hard racing, but that’s what this sport is about,” Verstappen said. “I saw the gap and went for it. There was no intent to push him off, and I’m confident the stewards will see it the same way.”

Leclerc, however, had a different perspective. The Ferrari driver expressed frustration, claiming that Verstappen’s move was reckless. “I gave him space, but he was too aggressive,” Leclerc remarked. “It’s disappointing because we were in for a great finish, and it was ruined by an unnecessary risk.”

The FIA is expected to make a decision on Verstappen’s potential penalty within hours of the race. If found guilty of causing a collision or making a dangerous move, Verstappen could face a time penalty, which would strip him of his victory and potentially hand the win to Leclerc. Such a ruling could have significant implications for the championship battle, with Verstappen currently holding a commanding lead.

As fans and teams alike await the stewards’ decision, the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most chaotic and controversial races of the season. Whether Verstappen retains his victory or not, the fallout from Baku is sure to ripple through the paddock in the weeks to come, as Formula 1 heads into the summer stretch with the championship fight heating up.