FIA release reasoning on Verstappen/Hamilton Penalty

The FIA have released their reasoning on why Red Bull’s defending world champion, Max Verstappen, was issued with a five-second time penalty during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Verstappen was handed a five-second time penalty for ‘causing a collision’ with his 2021 title rival, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), at the apex of turn two after the two competitors banged wheels.

After a safety car stint, where McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo collided with the Haas of Kevin Magnussen, George Russell – Mercedes’ grand prix winner – led the pack to racing conditions on lap seven.

Hamilton was caught napping, slightly, and had to defend from both Red Bulls behind him (Verstappen and Sergio Perez). However, Verstappen managed to put his car alongside the #44 Mercedes and the two inevitably came together.

In the Stewards reasoning, the FIA said:

“The Stewards reviewed the video from several angles, including In Car Cameras, CCTV and broadcast video.

“The Stewards determined that Verstappen attempted to pass Hamilton on the outside of turn 1 by braking very late. He did not complete the pass in Turn 1 and his excess speed compromised his entry into turn 2, at which point he made contact with Hamilton.

“While the Stewards recognize that Hamilton could possibly have given a little more room at the apex of turn 2, the Stewards determined that Verstappen was predominantly at fault.”

After the contact was made, both drivers were forced onto the run off area into turn three. Hamilton was able to make it back onto the road with minimal damage while Verstappen was forced to pit for a new wing.

Hamilton managed to work his way back up the field, to finish P2, while Verstappen was forced to contend with a controversial P6 finish – after he refused to obey team orders.

In a post-race interview, with Sky Sports F1, Verstappen said:

“To be honest, I went around the outside and I immediately though he was not going to leave space, so I just went for it.

“He didn’t leave me space, so I knew we were going to get together.

“It cost him the race win – for me – it gave me five seconds.”

That’s it for the article; FIA release reasoning on Verstappen/Hamilton Penalty!

What do you think, was the incident worthy of a penalty or was it just a racing incident? Let us know in the comments!

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Verstappen shown ‘who he really is’ after refusal to follow team orders
• F1 Brazil GP: Russell secures maiden win as Mercedes seal first 1-2
• Alonso given five-second penalty for contact with Ocon
• Pierre Gasly recieves warning for driving slowly in Brazil
• F1 Brazil GP: Russell secures Mercedes’ first win of season

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.