Max Verstappen has been handed a 5s post-Sprint penalty for exceeding the minimum time at the end of the VSC period.

Article 56.5 of the Sporting Regulations states in part "All cars must also be above this minimum time when the FIA light panels change to green", however, according to telemetry Verstappen was 0.63 seconds below the minimum time at VSC End when the light panels changed to green.

This , according to the stewards, indicates a sporting advantage gained under VSC.

Verstappen explained that as he was awaiting VSC to end and he got the notification that he was below the minimum time, he attempted to correct the error but failed to do so by the point that the panels turned green.

This is a breach and the standard penalty is applied for the advantage gained at that time.

The net effect of this put the Dutchman driver ahead of where he was at the start of the VSC and not as a result of the car in front falling back.

As a result Verstappen was handed a 5s penalty which drops him to fourth behind race-winner Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.

Even before the stewards came to their decision, fans had taken to social media asking why the VSC wasn't deployed earlier - after Hulkenberg had pulled off track - after Piastri had allowed his McLaren teammate through to take the lead, and then withdrawn after the second DRS zone making Verstappen's task of passing the Australian that much harder.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Stitch431, 03/11/2024 10:05

"@Kkiirmki I totally agree. On top of that the inconsequence (Norris 5 seconds, Verstappen 10 seconds) in the penalty given, and the fact that Herbert, as a steward, gives interviews to the press to defend his behavior. The moment a steward gives an interview to the press, his objectivity (or that of the entire group of stewards of which he is a part), is gone. In my opinion he should not be allowed to be a steward again. On top of the, there is another steward who is a former team member of McLaren. This should not be allowed either, to prevent even the slightest glare of bias in my opinion."

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2. Posted by Pavlo, 03/11/2024 8:47

"I prefer to look at this as a coincidence but I would also prefer someone in the race control be fired. Delay with VSC/SC was directly endangering Nico, and for me is a way bigger issue that an F-word."

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3. Posted by Kkiirmki, 03/11/2024 3:52

"Cynicism, or a number of coincidences which seem to have favoured Norris and the McLaren team?

Firstly, a yellow flag in sector two, which seemed fine for nearly two minutes, until necessitating the VSC (and not a full safety car). Thereby giving McLaren plenty of time to swap their drivers.

Then the delay of nearly 14 seconds (when the general rule is 5-10 seconds – per Bernie Collins), from the safety car ending period to the green flag. Which also happened to be timed at the end of the Reta Oposta straight thereby giving Verstappen no chance to get a tow and a possible overtake at turn 4.

And now, we have the race starting an hour and a half earlier, just in case the rain comes later in the day. All this after Norris implied that he felt McLaren may not be as strong in race trim in the wet.

I’m not sure how much influence Johnny Herbert has over the race director and other stewards, but is he trying to ensure Norris has all the advantages he can get in his title fight with Verstappen? He’s definitely one of the more biased people in the paddock and would love to see Norris win the title over Verstappen
"

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4. Posted by Chester, 02/11/2024 21:32

"A cynic would view the timing on the VSC as “manipulated “. A fair person may view it as “what comes around goes around”- a reference to Abu Dhabi 2022

Given my head hurts from pondering the US presidential election, I may just be numb to fair play (on timing of VSC, not the penalty)

A clearer head may be needed "

Verstappen penalised

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