F1 News: Max Verstappen PENALIZED by FIA after colliding with Austrian GP leader

Max Verstappen, Red Bull, FIA, 2024, Social, Photoshop — Photo: © IMAGO

Austrian Grand Prix

Verstappen PENALIZED by FIA after colliding with Austrian GP leader

There was huge drama at the end of the race in Austria

By Rhys Thomas.

Monday 1 July 2024 15:00

Max Verstappen has been slapped with a heavy penalty following a collision with Lando Norris in the closing stages of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The duo clashed at turn three on lap 64, after Verstappen squeezed Norris under braking.

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The top two in the championship almost came to blows on numerous occasions before their eventual crash, with Norris unhappy with what he thought were illegal late defensive moves by the Dutchman.

The Brit had tried to overtake on the inside of turn three twice, but once found the road blocked and then went too deep trying to pass. The next time a move was attempted, it left both drivers scrambling to recover their cars to the pit lane.

Max Verstappen was handed a time penalty for the collision

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen eventually collided at turn three

Verstappen penalty but Norris worse off

Verstappen moved left to try and cover the move, but Norris was squeezed right to the limit and his front right made contact with the rear left of the Red Bull, which was immediately punctured.

The stewards were not impressed with this defence, and gave Verstappen a ten-second time penalty as well as two penalty points for causing a collision.

Handing out the penalty, the stewards wrote: "Before turning in, the driver of Car 1 [Verstappen] moved to the left, causing a collision with Car 4 [Norris].

"The stewards determine that the driver of Car 1 was predominantly at fault."

George Russell took a shock win for Mercedes

Norris also suffered a puncture and both limped back to the pits. The McLaren driver parked up, out of the race, whilst Verstappen returned to the race in P5.

That fifth-placed finish meant Verstappen was able to extend his championship lead over Norris to 81 points.

It was Oscar Piastri's McLaren who did end up on the podium, coming home in P2 behind George Russell and ahead of Carlos Sainz.