Verstappen penalty verdict announced as Red Bull star ruled OUT of race…Read more
Verstappen penalty verdict announced as Red Bull star ruled OUT of race
The FIA has announced its verdict following an investigation into 17 drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, after sprint qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The inquiry revolved around drivers allegedly failing to comply with the minimum lap time of 1:40.0, a rule implemented to prevent congestion on track during qualifying sessions.
During the session, Lando Norris secured pole position for the sprint race, with McLaren showcasing strong performance in their ongoing battle with Ferrari for the constructors’ championship.
Oscar Piastri achieved the third-fastest time, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc settled for P4 and P5 respectively.
However, the standout controversy emerged from the mass investigation involving most of the grid.
In addition to Verstappen and Hamilton, drivers under scrutiny included Norris, Piastri, Sainz, Leclerc, George Russell, Kevin Magnussen, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, and Zhou Guanyu.
The investigation raised concerns about whether these drivers had driven unnecessarily slowly and exceeded the mandated lap time.
After reviewing the incident, the FIA concluded that no further action was necessary.
According to their official statement, the stewards determined that the drivers acted appropriately by not obstructing others.
They allowed clear track space when needed and significantly reduced their speed where required to avoid impeding competitors.
Consequently, the stewards ruled that the drivers’ actions were justified and dismissed claims of unnecessary slow driving.
The ruling allows all drivers to retain their sprint qualifying positions, with McLaren enjoying a competitive edge ahead of Saturday’s race.
The decision ensures a clean slate as teams focus on securing vital points in the intense constructors’ title fight.
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