FIA announces verdicts on Max Verstappen and McLaren after investigation into incidents in Baku

Max Verstappen received a warning from race stewards in Baku for overtaking under virtual safety car conditions, but was warned that there would be “significant penalties” next time.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended behind the VSC, which retired after Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crashed in the battle for a podium place on the penultimate lap.

Max Verstappen and Co. warned of “significant penalties”

Perez and Sainz collided on the approach to Turn 3 when Perez's right front axle lightly touched the left rear axle of Sainz's Ferrari. They hit the barrier heavily and slid along the wall before coming to a stop.

Race control triggered the VSC, with Oscar Piastri winning ahead of Charles Leclerc, while George Russell secured the final place on the podium.

Lando Norris and Verstappen crossed the finish line in fourth and fifth respectively. The Dutchman then caught up with his McLaren rival and good friend, waved to him and then pulled in alongside Russell with a thumbs up.

However, this resulted in Verstappen being penalised for overtaking under virtual safety car conditions after the chequered flag, a breach of Article 12.2.1 h) of the International Sporting Code.

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The race management gave Verstappen – as well as Nico Hülkenberg, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon – a warning.

The decision for all four was: “The driver overtook other cars after the checkered flag, but while a VSC was still displayed after the accident in Turn 2.”

“The driver has been reminded that while overtaking after the chequered flag is not uncommon, it is prohibited during yellow flag periods, safety car or virtual safety car procedures.

“The drivers knew where the accident had occurred, but had no way of knowing whether emergency services or marshals had been dispatched to the track. Therefore, they had to proceed with caution.”

However, they were warned that it would be more than a warning next time, as this was not the first time this season that a driver had committed a similar infringement: Charles Leclerc did so in Australia.

“The race stewards are aware that this has already happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time,” the statement continued. “We are therefore issuing a warning to the driver in question and to all other participants. Further violations may result in significant penalties.”

Nico Hülkenberg, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also received a warning for the same violation.

McLaren, meanwhile, was found guilty of violating Article 34.13 of the FIA ​​Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, which relates to the presence of team personnel and equipment in the pit lane during the race.

They judged that “while it is not unusual for team personnel to head towards Parc Fermé before the end of a race, McLaren had team members and equipment in the pit lane while other teams were still in the pits, creating a potentially unsafe situation.”

McLaren was fined 5,000 euros.

Read more: Dramatic accident involving Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz triggers summons from FIA commissioners after Azerbaijan GP