FIA acknowledges mistake, admits Max Verstappen warranted penalty for impeding at Singapore GP

The FIA has confessed to a error in judgment during the Singapore GP. Max Verstappen, found himself embroiled in controversy as he dodged penalties for multiple transgressions during the race’s qualifying session. The FIA’s shocking admission came a week after the race, revealing that Verstappen should indeed have incurred a three-position grid penalty for his actions on that fateful day.

During the intense qualifying session in Singapore, Verstappen’s on-track behaviour raised eyebrows and concerns. He was accused of hindering Yuki Tsunoda, blocking Logan Sargeant, and creating a queue of cars while attempting to carve out a gap in the pit lane under the green light. These actions should have, according to the FIA’s own review, resulted in a penalty that would have seen Verstappen start the race from the 17th position.

Max Verstappen himself had anticipated some form of penalty, given the gravity of his infractions. In a candid statement, he took full responsibility for his missteps, acknowledging the chaotic nature of his qualifying session. “Yeah, that was not good,” Verstappen conceded, adding, “It basically sums up my qualifying, it was just super hectic and messy.”

During Friday’s team managers’ meeting in Suzuka, steward Matteo Perini, who had also served in Singapore, conceded that the on-track reprimand issued to Verstappen should have been a three-place grid penalty upon review. Notably, Perini clarified, as reported by soymotor that the Verstappen case would not establish a precedent for future decisions and emphasized that the absence of radio warnings for approaching cars should not be considered as mitigating circumstances protecting drivers from more severe penalties.

Discover:  Lando Norris claims Max Verstappen deserved a penalty for Impeding at the Singapore GP 

Fellow drivers, rival teams questioned FIA’s decision for not awarding any penalties

Additionally, while the Singapore stewards upheld their original decision to reprimand Verstappen for waiting in the pitlane, they recommended the creation of a regulation to address such situations, as it is not explicitly prohibited in the current rules. The FIA’s belated acknowledgement of their error raises questions about the impact of this oversight. 

Rival teams and drivers were left perplexed by the FIA’s decision not to penalize Verstappen in accordance with traditional practices. Qualifying impeding incidents have historically led to grid penalties, making this deviation from the norm all the more confounding. Pierre Gasly, who himself faced penalties for impeding in the past, expressed his bemusement, saying, “Maybe now this is allowed. I don’t know, I’ll ask.”

Lando Norris, another driver who has been affected by impeding incidents, called for stricter penalties, lamenting the disruptive effect they have on qualifying. “I think there should just be harsher penalties for blocking people,” he urged, emphasizing the need for a deterrent against such actions.

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