Verstappen: Leclerc reprieve wasn't fair

Max Verstappen says the decision not to impose a penalty on Charles Leclerc for Ferrari's pit-lane indiscretion during the German Grand Prix was unfair.

Leclerc was released into the path of Romain Grosjean at Hockenheim, forcing the Haas man to slam on the brakes to avoid a heavy shunt.

Ferrari were given $5,000 fine over the incident, a punishment that raised eyebrows after Verstappen had been given a time penalty for a similar incident involving Valtteri Bottas during the Monaco Grand Prix. The sanction dropped Verstappen from second on the track to fourth.

FIA race director Michael Masi explained that contact made between Verstappen and Bottas was the crucial factor in the differing punishments, although the governing body have stated that similar incidents will be punished with tie penalties in the future.

Although Leclerc did not finish the Hockenhiem race and Verstappen won, the Red Bull man still saw fit to point out the perceived injustice.

"It's completely wrong. If you get a fine, everybody will do it. I think it's not fair," he said.

"To say they gave me the penalty purely because we touched, I think that is also not fair, you're still releasing the car knowing there is a car in the fast lane.

"I think they have spoken in the managers meeting about it. Let's see what they are going to do about it now.

"How big was the fine? 5,000? That's peanuts for a team. They really don't care to pay that. I think it's completely wrong to do that, especially if you talk about safety, it's not correct."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen Nurburgring LIVE: Free NLS race streams and everything you need to know

• 44 minutes ago

F1 champion claims Fernando Alonso has lost nothing despite being the oldest driver in over 50 years

• 1 hour ago

Iconic Ayrton Senna F1 car that he NEVER won a race in up for auction at £3.3m

• 2 hours ago

Toto Wolff shares fresh concerns over Kimi Antonelli F1 mistakes after maiden win

• 3 hours ago

Aston Martin and Adrian Newey set for F1 cost cap boost after FIA twist

• Today 08:59

Max Verstappen told to speak to F1 rivals after causing storm over new 2026 rules

• Today 08:14