The stewards have issued their findings in three separate investigations into Max Verstappen following the Dutch driver’s disastrous qualifying performance in Singapore.
Max Verstappen’s evening was hampered by three different incidences of suspected impeding, in addition to failing to qualify for Q3 for the first time this year as Red Bull experienced a nightmarish qualifying session at Marina Bay.
The Dutch driver was hauled before the stewards for obstructing a train of cars exiting the pitlane, obstructing AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda, and obstructing Williams’ Logan Sargeant.
Stewards have reached conclusions in all three Max Verstappen blocking probes.
The stewards issued Verstappen his first punishment of the season for pitlane obstructing, in which he came to a standstill at the green light to hold up many drivers behind him, including both Mercedes drivers and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
“The Stewards heard from the driver of Max Verstappen, team representative, and reviewed positioning/marshaling system data, video, timing, and team radio,” the verdict stated.
“[Verstappen] indicated that he waited (roughly 14 seconds) to leave the Pit Exit in order to establish a gap between himself and the vehicles ahead.
The team spokesman indicated that his advantage was lost by Turn 5 due to other vehicles braking on the out lap, but the car behind [Verstappen] had stretched its advantage to 12 seconds.
“While the driver gained no obvious advantage by 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.”
“While it is true that the car in front could have overtaken [Verstappen], it is preferable that cars leave the pit exit in an orderly fashion.”
“The stewards find that [Verstappen] violated Article 37.5 of the Sporting Regulations, and thus a Reprimand is appropriate.”
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