Max Verstappen escapes with a warning after the Dutch GP qualification. The Dutchman was summoned to the stewards after securing a top-three starting position. Verstappen was accused of driving ‘unnecessarily slow’ during his in-lap after the qualifying session. However, the driver comes away unscathed, as the yellow flag was waved at the same time.
Max Verstappen was able to give his fans at Circuit Zandvoort a reason for a small celebration. The Dutchman clocked the third-fastest time during the qualification, good enough for a spot on the second starting row. Yet, there was a tense moment after the session when the driver had to visit the stewards. The race direction had noticed that Verstappen had driven ‘unnecessarily slow’ in the round after the black and white checkered flag was waved.
No Penalty
Verstappen, however, explained to the stewards that he had only reduced his speed due to the yellow flag that was in effect at that time. “We have accepted his reason for slowing down and will take no further action,” reads the official statement from the FIA. Therefore, the Dutchman is allowed to start his home race from the third position as planned.
