Verstappen cleared of penalty after passing cars under VSC in Baku

Max Verstappen has been cleared of a penalty for passing cars under the Virtual Safety Car at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver issued with a warning by stewards instead.

There was immense drama at the conclusion of the race in Baku, which was won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, as podium-chasers Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crashed out on the penultimate lap. With a Virtual Safety Car brought in as a result of the incident, the race was effectively neutralized due to the limited number of laps remaining.

Following the conclusion of the Grand Prix, Verstappen – as well as Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg – were called before the stewards as they had overtaken cars under the VSC after the chequered flag.

However, all drivers were issued with a warning instead of a penalty with the stewards saying: “While passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car procedures.

“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.”