Sebastian Vettel questions speed of safety car deployment that left Max Verstappen 'in danger'

Max Verstappen crasht in Bakoe na een klapband. — Photo: © LAT Images

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Vettel questions speed of safety car deployment that left Verstappen 'in danger'

Red Bull driver was out on track unprotected after high speed crash

Will Gray

Monday 7 June 2021 17:00

Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel has questioned the speed of the safety car deployment after feeling Max Verstappen was left unprotected during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s Red Bull hit the wall at high speed when he lost control following a tyre blowout but after the Dutch driver extricated himself from his stricken car he then spent time on track examining the damage while the race continued.

It was 88 seconds from the moment of impact before FIA race director Michael Masi opted to release the safety car.

Article continues under video

Vettel, whose Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll had crashed earlier in the race, said: “I was wondering a little bit why it took so long when Max had the shunt for the safety car to come out.

"It was quite clear that he was standing in the middle of the track. It took a little bit long but we will see...we will find out why.”

Safety car left race as a lottery

It was the second safety car of the race, with the first following Stroll's incident after he suffered a similar tyre failure as Verstappen.

Vettel benefitted from the second incident, which ultimately turned into a red flag, as he gained a place when Lewis Hamilton went straight on at the first corner on the restart.

Asked if he was happy for the race to be stopped and restarted, Vettel added: "I think, to be honest, it depends on which side you are, not on which side of the grid.

"I think if you have a positive outcome and you make up positions then you’re happy about it. If, obviously, the worst case was probably for Lewis, then you’re not happy about it."