FIA Releases Verdict on Max Verstappen's Penalties Following Singapore GP Qualifying Incidents

Max Verstappen faces FIA's verdict on three incidents from Singapore GP qualifying, potentially impacting Red Bull's championship run.

In the wake of the Singapore GP qualifying, the FIA has announced its verdict concerning the potential penalties faced by reigning champion Max Verstappen. The Red Bull racer had come under investigation for three separate incidents, and F1 fans have eagerly awaited this decision.

Main Takeaways:

• FIA reprimanded Max Verstappen for an 18-second hesitation at the pit lane exit but found no advantage was gained.
• While Verstappen was reprimanded and Red Bull fined for impeding Yuki Tsunoda, no further action was taken regarding the incident with Logan Sargeant.
• Despite FIA decisions, Red Bull, especially Verstappen, faces challenges at the Marina Bay Circuit due to RB19's performance issues and the track's nature.

Verstappen found himself in the spotlight following the recent Singapore GP qualifying. The Dutchman had chosen to remain stationary at the end of the pit lane, apparently to find some clean air for his qualifying lap. However, this move drew criticism as it was deemed an unsuitable approach, especially given that Verstappen himself wasn't hindered.

Additionally, Verstappen was involved in two more contentious situations: impeding Yuki Tsunoda during the initial stages of Q2 and allegedly obstructing Williams' Logan Sargeant. Both incidents have now been thoroughly assessed by the FIA.

Pit Lane Start

The FIA has given ax Verstappen a reprimand for hesitating for 18 seconds at the pit lane exit. The statement from the FIA read:

The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing and team radio. The driver stated that he waited (approximately 14 seconds) to leave the Pit Exit in order to create a gap to the cars in front. The team representative explained that his gap was negated by Turn 5 due to other cars slowing on the out lap, whilst the car behind car 1 had increased its gap to 12 seconds. Whilst no obvious advantage was gained by the driver in waiting at the Pit Exit for what is deemed to be an extraordinary long time, the potential for this to negatively impact other drivers warrants a penalty. Whilst it is noted that the car behind could have overtaken car 1, it is preferable that cars depart the pit exit in an orderly manner.

Thereaction to the impeding of Yuki Tsunoda and Logan Sargeant has also been released with no further action being taken by the FIA. 

Yuki Tsunoda

The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, team radio and in-car video evidence

Just prior to Car 22 passing Car 1, the driver of Car 1 saw the car behind approaching and moved to the left, however quite late.

The team admitted that there was poor communication on its part and that it did not advise its driver until Car 22 was alongside.

The Stewards reviewed a number of impeding and alleged impeding incident from this current season and consistent with previous decisions in relation to the severity of the breach, impose a penalty of a Reprimand on the driver and a fine on the Competitor.

It was noted that the representative of Car 22 chose not to attend the Hearing. Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.

Logan Sargeant

The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), the driver of Car 2 (Logan Sargeant), the team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, team radio and in-car video evidence.

The driver of Car 1 stated that he was surrounded by many other cars on preparation laps, some of which chose to overtake him on the left and some on the right, and therefore he decided the safest option was for him to drive straight and keep the line, leaving a car width on his right. He stated he felt any movement to the left or right could have caused a collision with one of the cars around him. The Stewards accept these statements.

The driver of Car 2 stated that he did not believe that the driver of Car 1 was at fault and that there was room for him to pass.

We therefore determine that the driver of Car 1 did not unnecessarily impede Car 2. Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.

Regardless of the FIA's decisions, the Singapore Grand Prix presents challenges for Verstappen, his teammate Sergio Perez, and Red Bull. Despite leading the championship, the RB19 seems to be grappling with performance issues at the Marina Bay Circuit. Historically, the track offers limited overtaking opportunities, and given the strong competition from teams such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren under Lando Norris, Verstappen will find Sunday's race very difficult.