In a gripping 51-lap Formula 1 race, Max Verstappen found himself under investigation after finishing fifth due to a late-race incident. Lando Norris overtook Verstappen in the closing stages, after which the Red Bull driver pitted for fresh tires. However, Verstappen’s tire strategy proved to be irrelevant as the race ended under Virtual Safety Car (VSC) conditions following a significant crash involving Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz. Verstappen, along with Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly, and Esteban Ocon, was soon under scrutiny by race stewards for an alleged VSC infringement after the race concluded.
The infringement centered on the cooldown lap, during which drivers typically slow down and may overtake one another as a sign of courtesy or respect. However, the stewards took issue with the fact that the VSC period was still active, making such overtakes illegal. Lando Norris, who saw Verstappen pass him during the cooldown, immediately raised the issue with his McLaren team, stating over the radio, “Max is overtaking everyone, it’s still a VSC, right? I don’t know if it matters or not but… still a VSC.” Verstappen also passed Mercedes’ George Russell on the main straight, all at low speed, even giving both drivers a friendly wave.
Despite the light-hearted nature of the overtakes, the incident prompted immediate action from the FIA, as Article 56.6 of the F1 Sporting Regulations strictly prohibits overtaking under VSC conditions, except in specific scenarios. These exceptions include entering or exiting the pit lane or overtaking a car that has slowed significantly due to an obvious issue. Otherwise, drivers must maintain their positions during a VSC to ensure safety, particularly as marshals or emergency vehicles could be dispatched onto the track.
The investigation could have had significant implications for Verstappen’s race result. Earlier in the season, Daniel Ricciardo was handed a 10-second penalty for overtaking under safety car conditions. That penalty was later converted into a three-place grid drop, as Ricciardo had not completed the race in question. A similar penalty for Verstappen could have resulted in his fifth-place finish being downgraded to sixth, affecting his championship points tally.
However, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner expressed confidence that Verstappen would not face a penalty for the cooldown lap incident, a view that ultimately proved correct. The stewards issued warnings to Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Gasly, and Ocon but refrained from handing out penalties. The stewards acknowledged that while overtakes after the chequered flag are relatively common in Formula 1, such maneuvers are explicitly prohibited when a yellow flag, safety car, or VSC procedure is in effect.
In their ruling, the stewards noted that the drivers were aware of the crash involving Perez and Sainz but could not have known if marshals or emergency equipment were on the track. Additionally, they pointed out that a similar incident had occurred earlier in the season and went unnoticed, which may have contributed to the lenient outcome.
“Further breaches may incur significant penalties,” the stewards added, making it clear that this leniency would not be extended in the future. While the drivers escaped with only a warning this time, the incident serves as a cautionary tale for Verstappen and the others. Formula 1’s safety protocols, particularly regarding VSC and safety car procedures, are taken very seriously by race officials, and future violations could lead to more severe consequences.
In the end, Verstappen’s fifth-place finish stood, but the investigation added a layer of drama to an already eventful race. The VSC infringement and the subsequent warnings are likely to remain a talking point in the paddock as the season progresses. Verstappen and his fellow competitors will undoubtedly be more mindful of the regulations surrounding the VSC, knowing that further infractions could result in grid penalties or time penalties that could impact their race results and championship standings.
