FIA gives Verstappen another penalty: Here's why

The first penalty for Max Verstappen was a ten-second penalty for pushing an opponent off the track. In addition to the 10-second penalty, the stewards also gave Verstappen two penalty points on his licence. Verstappen has now accumulated six penalty points in a 12-month period.

The stewards' explanation reads as follows: "Norris was attempting to overtake on the outside of Verstappen at Turn 4. Norris was ahead of Verstappen at the entry, apex and towards the exit of the turn when he started being forced off the track. The Stewards believe that the maneuver was done in a safe and controlled manner and that Norris would have been able to make the maneuver on the track had he not been forced off the track by Verstappen. Norris cutthe coner but immediately gave the position he gained as a result back to Sainz."

FIA hand out penalties to Verstappen

Verstappen's second penalty was for going off track and taking advantage of it. This involved Verstappen overtaking Norris in turn eight. For this, too, Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty but no extra penalty points on his licence.

"Following the incident in Turn 4, Verstappen attempted to pass Norris on the inside at Turn 8. Verstappen was ahead at the apex of Turn 8 and would have been entitled to racing room. However, he was not able to complete the maneuver on the track, left the track and kept the lasting advantage gaining the position, incidently forcing Norris off the track. The penalty is the standard penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage."

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton