Max Verstappen has incurred a five-second time penalty at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix for crossing the white line at pit exit.
Verstappen was forced into a different strategy on Sunday in Miami, after he spun his RB22 at the first corner.
Working his way back up the order, he opted to pit much earlier than his rivals in order to jump them once they made their stops.
However, Verstappen crossed the white line at the pit exit during his own stop, and was summoned to the stewards after the race, after the incident was announced as being investigated after the race.
Verstappen attempted to explain that he rejoined the track under a full course yellow, however the stewards opted to penalise the four-time world champion.
The five-second penalty applied did not change his finishing position, Verstappen classified fifth.
Full decision from the stewards
“The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 3 (Max Verstappen), team representative and reviewed, video and in-car video evidence.
“When the incident occurred there was limited video evidence to make a clear decision on whether an infringement had occurred. We therefore decided to investigate the incident after the race, to see if we could get better video evidence of the incident in the meantime, perhaps from other angles. We were able to do so. The new angles did show more views of the pit exit line and the incident in question. The driver of Car 3 explained that he was driving out of the pit exit and rejoined the race under full course yellow.
“The Stewards determined that the outside of the front left-hand tyre did cross the outside of the solid white pit exit line in violation of Appendix L, Chapter IV Article 6 c) of the International Sporting Code. Given the nature of the infraction the Stewards elected to impose a penalty of 5 seconds.
“Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
“Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.”
Verstappen’s trangression did not alter his finishing position, but it was a lucky escape for an offence the stewards come down hard on.
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