No penalty for Max Verstappen, pole confirmed

Author of the most contested pole position of the season with only 10 and 57 thousandths difference on Charles Leclerc et Carlos Sainz respectively, Max Verstappen had to wait almost an hour to definitively ensure his 18th pole career position. The Dutchman was in fact expected in the race direction at 10 a.m. French time to explain the incident which pitted him against Lando Norris in qualifying. 

While the Briton was on a flying lap and hurtling at full speed in 130R, Max Verstappen was in fact idling in the middle of the track. Seeing the Briton getting bigger in his mirrors, the Batavian put the gas back on and came close to losing his RB18. To avoid it, Lando Norris had to go through the grass and abort his turn. 

Simple reprimand for Max Verstappen

Both summoned to race management, the two men were heard by the stewards, who considered that the incident only merited a reprimand for the Dutchman. “The driver of car 1 was aware of the gap with car 55 in front and with car 4 approaching behind and decided to accelerate at exactly the same time that car 4 decided to overtake car 1. Unfortunately , due to lack of tire temperature on car 1, the driver temporarily lost control of the car, taking a counter-clockwise snap shot. was it stipulated in the official document.

“The driver of car 4 (Lando Norris) said it was just an unfortunate incident, but it is
driver's responsibility to maintain control of their car at all times. As for punishment, all previous infractions of this nature have resulted in a reprimand. Therefore, a similar penalty is imposed in this case.” Max Verstappen, who has a second title shot this weekend after the missed one in Singapore, will start from the first place on the grid this Sunday at 7 a.m. French time. 

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