Max Verstappen at risk of Singapore Sprint penalty for yellow flags

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is at risk of losing his Sprint pole position for overtaking under yellow flags in the Singapore Grand Prix sprint qualifying. 

Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen has found himself under investigation with the stewards after an alledged yellow flag infringement at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, during sprint qualifying in the Singapore Grand Prix. 

During SQ1, Cadillac’s Sergio Perez hit the barrier with the nose and front wing of his 2026 contender, and the Mexican managed to pull the car back onto the circuit before limping home to the pits. 

However, as Perez continued to drive back to the pit lane, a chunk of his front wing broke off and found itself stranded on the track, prompting a single yellow flag zone shortly followed by a red flag. 

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was on his way to the scene on a cool-lap, with Verstappen closing in behind. As the two entered the zone, Verstappen allegedly overtook the seven-time world champion under a yellow flag. 

Hamilton was quick to react to Verstappen’s move in the flagged zone, over team radio, with the four-time world champion suspecting the incident could be a close call and wanting to be safe – reportedly letting the Ferrari back through.

Max Verstappen claims sprint pole for Singapore Grand Prix ahead of George Russell

According to the 2026 F1 Penalty Guidelines, which the stewards can rely on, claims that if a driver has overtaken another car under a single yellow flag could earn a five-place grid penalty for the infringement. 

If this was to be slapped onto Verstappen, the Dutchman would drop from sprint pole to sixth overall. In turn, Mercedes’ George Russell will take over pole position ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will move onto the front row.

In turn, everyone from P2 to P5, would be promoted up a position, if Verstappen is penalised.  

In addition to this, the penalty also comes with a guideline of two penalty points to be added to his superlicence. 

We will keep you updated as this story develops…

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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.