Max Verstappen punishment issued after THREE FIA investigations into Singapore qualifying

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Verstappen punishment issued after THREE FIA investigations into Singapore qualifying

The championship leader saw the stewards on three counts after qualifying ended

Joe Ellis

Saturday 16 September 2023 18:53 Updated: 22:02

Max Verstappen has avoided a grid penalty for impeding other drivers in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix, getting away with just two reprimands and a €5,000 fine for his team.

The runaway championship leader was noted for impeding after he sat stationary at the end of the pitlane with no cars preventing him from heading onto the track.

The Dutchman was trying to create a big gap for his qualifying effort, and was handing his first driving reprimand of the season for the incident.

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That wasn't the end of the problems for the reigning world champion, though, as he seemed to impede Yuki Tsunoda – leading to another reprimand and the €5,000 fine – was investigated a third time for interfering with Logan Sargeant on the American's outlap.

On that third count, an FIA statement read: "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.'

Backs against the wall

Max Verstappen might have a long night ahead after this incident

For the first time this season, Red Bull are not head and shoulders clear of the field.

The RB19 doesn't suit the unique nature of the Marina Bay Circuit, with Ferrari, Mercedes and Lando Norris in the upgraded McLaren all looking as fast if not faster than the reigning champions.

Verstappen will start 11th on the grid after being knocked out in the second part of qualifying, with his team-mate Sergio Perez even further back in 13th.

At somewhere like Spa or Monza, he could overtake to make up the difference but on the streets of Singapore, his record-breaking winning run is under serious threat.