On what was a nightmare day for Red Bull Racing on the track, it somehow didn’t get worse after qualifying as Max Verstappen was given two reprimands for impeding and no further action on another incident. He retains his P11 starting spot.
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
In Q1, he was one of numerous drivers going slowly betweens turn 16 and 19, and the Dutchman was lucky not to be hit by Sargeant coming through on a fast lap. With other cars around him, Verstappen had nowhere to go as the stewards explain.
“The driver of Car 1 stated that he was surrounded by many other cars on preparation laps, some of which chose to overtake him on the left and some on the right, and therefore he decided the safest option was for him to drive straight and keep the line, leaving a car width on his right.
“He stated he felt any movement to the left or right could have caused a collision with one of the cars around him. The Stewards accept these statements.
“The driver of Car 2 stated that he did not believe that the driver of Car 1 was at fault
and that there was room for him to pass.
We therefore determine that the driver of Car 1 did not unnecessarily impede Car 2.”
During the same segment, he stopped near the pit exit as he looked to find some room before heading out on track. But he had the likes of Hamilton, Russell and Leclerc behind him waiting for him to go.
“The driver stated that he waited (approximately 14 seconds) to leave the Pit Exit in order to create a gap to the cars in front.
“The team representative explained that his
gap was negated by Turn 5 due to other cars slowing on the out lap whilst the car behind car 1 had increased its gap to 12 seconds.
“Whilst no obvious advantage was
gained by the driver in waiting at the Pit Exit for what is deemed to be an extraordinarily long time, the potential for this to negatively impact other drivers warrants a penalty.
“Whilst it is noted that the car behind could have overtaken car 1, it is preferable that
cars depart the pit exit in an orderly manner.
“The stewards determine that car 1 breached Article 37.5 of the Sporting Regulations and hence a penalty of a Reprimand is appropriate.”
To complete an wanted hat-trick of impeding incidents, he blocked Yuki Tsunoda on the exit of turn 3 as the Japanese driver was on his first flying lap of Q2.
He avoided a penalty as the stewards handed the team a 5,000 euro fine because he wasn’t told about the Japanese driver pushing: “The team admitted that there was poor communication on its part and that it did not advise its driver until Car 22 was alongside.
“The Stewards reviewed a number of impeding and alleged impeding incident from thiscurrent season and consistent with previous decisions in relation to the severity of the breach, impose a penalty of a Reprimand on the driver and a fine on the Competitor.”
Williams driver Logan Sargeant has been handed a reprimand for blocking Lance Stroll during Q1 and keeps his P18 grid slot. The team was handed a 5,000 euro fine.
Photo credit: Williams Racing
On the Aston Martin driver’s first lap, he got held up by the American driver through turns 8 and 9. It forced the Canadian driver to abort his first attempt.
Although it was clear Sargeant blocked Stroll, he escaped a grid penalty as the stewards stated he was not told about the fact the Canadian was on a push lap.
“Car 2 clearly impeded Car 18 at Turn 8. However in mitigation of penalty for the
driver, the Stewards considered the fact that the team made no radio communication to warn him of the approach of Car 18.
“lt is essential, especially in Qualification, drivers be given sufficient and accurate warning of the approach of another vehicle.
“Accordingly and consistent with previous decisions, a fine is imposed on the Competitor, who admited that it had failed to provide an appropriate warning.”
