Max Verstappen and Fellow F1 Drivers Escape Penalty After VSC Overtake Investigation at Azerbaijan GP

Four drivers, among them Max Verstappen, discover the outcome following an investigation into overtaking during a Virtual Safety Car period. Max Verstappen and other Formula 1 drivers were scrutinized for overtaking while the Virtual Safety Car was in effect.

Max Verstappen and three other Formula 1 drivers have avoided penalties after an inquiry into overtaking during Virtual Safety Car conditions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, as well as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly from Alpine, and Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, were called to appear before the race stewards. They were accused of overtaking other cars while yellow flags were being displayed after the conclusion of the race on Sunday in Baku.

The Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was activated after Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz collided at high speed on the second-to-last lap as they approached Turn 3. The no-overtaking rule under these conditions stayed in effect until the race concluded.

Although the drivers were observed passing cars during the in-lap, they were all exonerated but cautioned that any future violations could lead to "substantial penalties."

Max Verstappen, who saw his championship lead over Lando Norris shrink by three points after finishing behind the McLaren driver, argued that a full Safety Car should have been deployed instead of a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) and maintained that his actions were entirely appropriate.

"I did everything right," the Dutchman stated to the press, including Crash.net. "I crossed the finish line cleanly under the checkered flag."

"At the end of the race, during the cool-down lap, it's common to see similar situations. Whether it's a Virtual Safety Car or a full Safety Car, drivers often return to the pits while passing each other slowly or giving congratulatory waves. So, this situation has caught me off guard."

Complete statement from the stewards

The stewards overseeing the F1 event in Baku delivered an identical decision for every driver implicated, stating:

After the crash at Turn 2, the driver passed several cars even though the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was still active, despite the race having already ended with the chequered flag. The driver was reminded that while overtaking after the chequered flag is generally acceptable, it is forbidden during yellow flags, safety car, or VSC conditions. Although the drivers knew the location of the incident, they could not be certain if emergency vehicles or track marshals were on the track, necessitating careful driving.

The Stewards acknowledge that a similar incident occurred earlier in the season and went undetected. As a result, we are issuing a warning to the driver involved and all other participants. Any future violations could lead to severe penalties.

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