Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been summoned to see the stewards on Saturday morning in relation to an incident that occurred in Parc Fermé on Friday.
Following Friday’s qualifying session at Sao Paulo, Verstappen allegedly touched title rival Lewis Hamilton’s car as they were located in Parc Fermé conditions.
The Dutchman has been accused of breaching Article 2.5.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code.
The Article states: “Inside the Parc Fermé, only the officials assigned may enter. No operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed unless authorised by the same officials or by the applicable regulations.”
Hamilton ended Saturday’s qualifying session as the fastest driver, with Verstappen behind him in second place.
After Friday’s session, Hamilton was called to the stewards after it was found that his DRS didn’t fulfil the required maximum distance of 85mm.
Hamilton was facing potential exclusion from the session, which would see him start Saturday’s sprint race from the back of the field or the pit lane.
However, the matter may now be more complicated if the stewards believe Verstappen may have tampered with Hamilton’s car.
The stewards’ meeting in relation to Hamilton’s car was adjourned until Saturday morning.
Verstappen currently leads Hamilton by 19 points in the Drivers’ standings with four grands prix left to run.
“…if the stewards believe Verstappen may have tampered with Hamilton’s car.” – surely not?! He might have been an idiot if he “touched” the car, breaking parc ferme rules, but even with pressure from the Red Bull usual suspects, I would find it amazing if he could apply enough force to change dimensions of the slot gap.