Verstappen cleared of penalty after passing cars under VSC in Baku.
Max Verstappen has been cleared of a penalty for passing cars under the Virtual Safety Car at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver issued with a warning by stewards instead.
There was immense drama at the conclusion of the race in Baku, which was won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, as podium-chasers Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crashed out on the penultimate lap. With a Virtual Safety Car brought in as a result of the incident, the race was effectively neutralized due to the limited number of laps remaining.
After the Grand Prix ended, Verstappen, along with Ocon, Gasly, and Hulkenberg, were asked to speak with the officials because they passed other cars illegally while the Virtual Safety Car was in effect after the race was over.
All the drivers were given a warning instead of a punishment, with officials explaining that passing after the race is against the rules, especially when there are caution flags, a Safety Car, or Virtual Safety Car procedures in place.
The drivers knew where the incident happened, but they weren’t sure if help was on the way to the track, so they had to be careful. The officials knew this had happened before this season but wasn’t addressed then.
That’s why they’re cautioning the driver and all other competitors. If there are more violations, there will be serious consequences.
