12/09/2021
NEWS STORY
Max Verstappen has been handed a 3-place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix after Monza stewards deemed that he caused today's collision with Lewis Hamilton.
The stewards having heard from both drivers, their team representatives and having reviewed the video evidence, determined that the Dutch driver was predominantly to blame for the collision at Turn 2.
Hamilton was exiting the pits and Verstappen was on the main straight. At the 50m board before Turn 1, Hamilton was significantly ahead of the Red Bull.
Verstappen braked late and started to move alongside the Mercedes, although at no point in the sequence did he get any further forward than just behind the front wheel of of the world champion's car.
During the hearing Verstappen asserted that the cause of the incident was Hamilton opening the steering after Turn 1 and "squeezing" him to the apex of turn 2.
Hamilton asserted that Verstappen attempted to pass very late and should have given up the corner either by backing off sooner or by turning left behind the kerb.
The stewards observed on CCTV footage that Hamilton was driving an avoiding line, although his position caused Verstappen to go onto the kerb.
But further, the stewards observed that Verstappen was not at all alongside Hamilton until significantly into the entry into Turn 1.
In the opinion of the stewards, this manoeuvre was attempted too late for Verstappen to have "the right to racing room".
While Hamilton could have steered further from the kerb to avoid the incident, the stewards determined that his position was reasonable and therefore find that Verstappen was predominantly to blame.
As a result, Verstappen has a 3-place grid drop at the next event, the Russian Grand Prix, and 2 penalty points imposed.