Verstappen COTA controversy won't be repeated in 2018

Joas van Wingerden

Wednesday 17 October 2018 14:47

There will no repeat of the controversial decision which befell Max Verstappen at last year's United States Grand Prix during the 2018 edition at the Circuit of the Americas. Verstappen had P3 taken away from him for exceeding track limits in a last-gasp move on Kimi Raikkonen, but the FIA have installed kerbs at the corners in question to prevent a recurrence.

Verstappen charged from 16th on the grid to cross the line third at the chequered flag, having pulled of a superb overtake on Raikkonen at turn 17 on the final lap.

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However, the Red Bull man was given an immediate five-second penalty, demoting him P4 while he was in the cool-down room.

From joy to despair for @Max33Verstappen #USGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/oI5Cc7eqxW — Formula 1 (@F1) October 22, 2017

Verstappen and fans alike reacted with fury at the decision, the Dutchman saying: "We had a great race but with those stupid decisions you kill the sport. I hope the fans do not like this decision and next year they do not come."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was similarly furious: "It is an appalling decision. They have robbed all of the fans here. It was a great grand prix and they have screwed it up."

And, perhaps keen to avoid another controversy, the FIA have taken measures, installing kerbs at the apexes of turns 16 and 17, per their circuit notes.

Bumps have also been put in place at the exit of turn one – an area that several drivers have fled to in recent years in on-track scraps.

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