Verstappen guilty after holding up Tsunoda: 'That was not good'

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Verstappen seems to accept grid penalty: 'That was not good'
16 September 2023 at 16:58
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Max Verstappen is being investigated by the stewards for several incidents. For instance, the Red Bull driver allegedly stopped at a green light in the pit lane during Q1. The Dutchman also allegedly obstructed Yuki Tsunoda, forcing the Japanese driver to abort his lap in Q2. Verstappen has since responded to both offences.

Verstappen stood still in the pit lane for several seconds, which meant Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also had to wait to enter the circuit. The rules dictate that in principle, you cannot stand still (for too long) before a green light.

Commenting to Motorsport-Magazin.com, the World championship leader explained that he did not think there was much wrong here: "This is how it works in the pit lane. When it turns green, the first one rolls away, then the second one and so on, and I knew what was going to happen in the last chicane. So I waited a bit to create a gap. I waited a bit because I thought that was safer, but of course, a few drivers behind me complained."

Tsunoda hampered

A grid penalty for that first one would therefore be unfair to Verstappen. But for the second incident, Max seems to understand. Quoted by the German Medium, he acknowledges he was at fault when Tsunoda came up behind.

"That was not right. I didn't see him because I was talking over the radio when it occurred. I only heard he was there when I was right behind him. That actually summed up our qualifying as well: it was just super hectic and chaotic," Verstappen said.