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Max Verstappen will be investigated by the Brazilian Grand Prix stewards for a potential infringement during the virtual safety car period in the Formula 1 sprint race.
UPDATE: Verstappen given five second penalty, drops to fourth
Verstappen was waiting to be able to attack Oscar Piastri for second place at Interlagos, as Piastri was vulnerable having let McLaren team-mate Lando Norris into the lead just before the VSC period began.
Before the VSC period ended and the race returned to green flag conditions, Verstappen was visibly closing up to Piastri and even drew part way alongside on the run to Turn 4.
Both cars went down the straight towards the corner flat out with Verstappen attempting a pass on the inside – seemingly in anticipation of the VSC ending just in time, or potentially in the belief it was already over.
He backed out of completing a move, though, with the VSC panels clearly showing trackside.
"It got tight," Verstappen said. "We got close to each other then had to brake."
Asked why he might be facing the stewards for an investigation, Verstappen said: "It must have been close with Oscar."
The stewards noted the incident shortly after the sprint race finished and will investigate it before qualifying on Saturday afternoon.
"From what we've seen it looks OK, but, let's see," said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
Verstappen is being investigated for "failing to stay above the minimum time set by the FIA ECU during the VSC ending at 11:31".
What do the FIA rules say on VSCs generally?
Drivers are not allowed to drive “unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the VSC procedure is in use”.
They must “reduce speed and stay above the minimum time set by the FIA ECU at least once in each marshalling sector and at both the first and second safety car lines” and “must be above this minimum time when the FIA light panels change to green”.
Overtaking another car is prohibited unless in certain scenarios, like entering or exiting the pitlane between safety car lines, or if a car slows with an obvious problem. But Verstappen did not complete a pass.
The racing guidelines, which are advisory rather than regulatory but are used as a reference by the stewards, do specify something relating to car positioning under a full safety car.
The car behind must have their front wing behind the rear wing of the car in front. However, this refers to a normal safety car situation so if it is intended to apply to a VSC it is not explicitly stated.
This guidance was introduced more than two years ago, after Verstappen used the tactic towards the end of 2021, including ahead of the restart in the controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi.
