Verstappen Avoids Penalty After FIA Investigation into… Read more
Max Verstappen faced scrutiny from the FIA stewards after an incident during sprint qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver was summoned following an alleged breach of Article 33.4 of the Sporting Regulations and Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code, both related to driving unnecessarily slowly, which can potentially create dangerous situations.
The initial complaint stemmed from a moment during SQ1, where Lando Norris accused Verstappen of blocking him during a flying lap. However, the FIA clarified that their investigation pertained to an incident in SQ2. At that point, Verstappen was found to have driven about six seconds slower than the minimum required time between Safety Car Lines 1 and 2 during one of his laps.
Upon review, the FIA considered video evidence, timing data, telemetry, and in-car footage. The findings revealed that Verstappen maintained a consistent pace throughout the lap in question and did not interfere with other drivers or cause any dangerous scenarios. Red Bull explained that a software error led to an incorrect delta time being displayed in Verstappen’s car. As a result, Verstappen believed he was managing his pace within the allowed limit, though he was actually about six seconds over the minimum time.
The team became aware of the issue by the end of the lap and instructed Verstappen to adjust his speed accordingly for subsequent laps. Telemetry data confirmed that he complied with this directive for the remainder of the session.
Given the circumstances, the stewards concluded that while there was a breach of regulations, Verstappen had acted based on the information available to him and did not pose a risk or impede other drivers. As a result, no penalty was issued to the driver. However, the FIA issued an official reprimand to Red Bull Racing, holding the team accountable for ensuring accurate data is provided to the driver.
The decision echoes a similar incident at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a one-place grid drop for driving slowly ahead of George Russell. In that case, the reduced penalty was due to the fact that neither driver was on a push lap, whereas more severe penalties—such as a three-place grid drop—are possible if a slow-moving car interferes with another driver’s flying lap.
The stewards warned that under different conditions, a harsher penalty could apply for a similar violation, emphasizing the importance of accurate systems and adherence to timing regulations in future sessions.
