Max Verstappen discovers F1 stewards' verdict after Lando Norris pointed out rule break

Formula 1 stewards have decided not to rub salt in Max Verstappen's wounds following a frustrating Azerbaijan Grand Prix . The Red Bull star, who's clinging onto his lead in the Drivers' Championship, has been cleared of a post-race infringement after overtaking under Virtual Safety Car (VSC) conditions in Baku. Verstappen, 25, alongside Esteban Ocon , Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg , were called to the stewards in the aftermath of Sunday's race because they overtook cars following the chequered flag.

As Verstappen sped past following his disappointing yet still fortunate P5 finish, championship rival Lando Norris pointed out his error. "Max is overtaking everyone but it's still a VSC, right?" Norris, who finished fourth, noted over his McLaren team radio. Later appearing on F1 TV , Norris - who started 15th after a nightmare in qualifying - explained: "I didn't complain about anything, I just stated facts.



I just had VSC on my dashboard which normally means no overtaking but he was overtaking, so I just quizzed it to my team because I didn't think you were allowed to overtake. But maybe I'm wrong." None of the four drivers were punished, however, as Verstappen and co each received a warning as they departed Baku.

"While passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car procedures," the stewards said. "While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution. "The Stewards are aware that this has happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time.

We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties." The stewards' decision was a reprieve for Verstappen, who now holds a 59-point lead over Norris with seven Grands Prix remaining.

Despite team-mate Sergio Perez enjoying a strong Sunday until a late crash with Carlos Sainz retired both drivers, Verstappen had issues with his Red Bull throughout the weekend. Your turn! Should Max Verstappen and the three others have been punished? Give us your verdict in the comments section "What I experienced also in qualifying was the problem for me in the race, where the car was jumping around a lot in all the low-speed corners," the three-time world champion bemoaned. "So, my wheels were literally coming off the ground and then of course you lose contact patch with the tarmac, which you don't want.

And that then caused me to slide a lot more, overheat the tyres more, and there was no way to drive around it. So the pace was just a bit all over the place, because on the medium, initially, I could stay there. "But then, yeah, because of that jumping and sliding, the tyres of course overheat.

I had to box and then it was just a bit unfortunate I got stuck behind Alex [Albon] and Lando. But then, yeah, I was in that fight, George [Russell] passed me, then we actually had good pace, the two of us, we were catching the leaders. "But then as soon as I got close to George again, within that window where you have the dirty air, because of the jumping that I'm dealing with, I'm sliding already quite a bit and then when I get close to him, I'm sliding even more and that just tipped over the edge again where then it becomes quite uncontrollable.

And then towards the end of the race, which was very difficult again." Catch all the action from Formula One on Sky Sports and get exclusive access to races, qualifying and much more for every Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you won't miss a lap on Sky Sports.

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