Max Verstappen hit with Miami GP time penalty

Max Verstappen has been penalised by the stewards at the Miami Grand Prix after being investigated for allegedly crossing the line at the pit exit during the race.

The Red Bull driver was an early stopper at the Miami International Autodrome, following the Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Pierre Gasly-induced safety car.

However, following his stop, he is suspected of breaching a rule that usually carries a near-certain penalty. 

Curiously, the officials decided not to punish him then and there, instead opting for a closer look post-race.

After studying the data, they opted that Verstappen should be issued a five-second time penalty.

However, as he finished more than five seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, he has retained fifth place.

“When the incident occurred, there was limited video evidence to make a clear decision on whether an infringement had occurred,” a stewards' document read.

“We therefore decided to investigate the incident after the race, to see if we could get better video evidence of the incident in the meantime, perhaps from other angles. 

“We were able to do so. The new angles did show more views of the pit exit line and the incident in question. 

“The driver of Car 3 explained that he was driving out of the pit exit and rejoined the race under full course yellow. 

“The Stewards determined that the outside of the front left-hand tyre did cross the outside of the solid white pit exit line in violation of Appendix L, Chapter IV Article 6 c) of the International Sporting Code. 

“Given the nature of the infraction the Stewards elected to impose a penalty of 5 seconds.”