Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Ocon and Gasly warned for virtual safety car incident
Max Verstappen, Nico Huleknberg, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were investigated for a post-race yellow flag incident after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but they escaped any serious sanctions.
Max Verstappen, Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were under investigation for undertaking under virtual safety car conditions after the finish of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The virtual safety car was deployed after Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz tangled on the run down to Turn 3 on the penultimate lap of the 51-lap race. Their cars ended up in the walls while the accident also littered debris on the section between Turns 2 and 3.
The virtual safety car stayed in force after the chequered flag fell, but four drivers were seen overtake other cars on the in-lap.
After the race, Verstappen was summoned by the stewards for overtaking while the yellows were still out, as were Alpine drivers Ocon and Gasly and Haas' Hulkenberg.
Although the FIA usually handles similar incident very strictly as safety is paramount, the stewards have now decided not to hand out any sporting penalties this time around, but only a warning as the governing body has acknowledged that similar incidents had not been noticed earlier this season.
Max Verstappen and several other Formula 1 drivers are under investigation for undertaking under virtual safety car conditions after the finish of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The FIA noted: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data.
"The driver overtook other cars after the chequered flag, but while a VSC was still being displayed, following the crash at Turn 2. The driver was reminded that while passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, safety car or virtual safety car procedures.
"While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution.
"The Stewards are aware that this has happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time. We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties."
