Max Verstappen learns GT stewards 'fault' verdict over 'avoidable collision'

Max Verstappen has been handed a reprimand and a behaviour warning point following a first-lap collision during opening practice for the GT World Challenge Europe round at Portimão.

The four-time F1 champion was only a few corners into his first timed lap when he tried to pass Ezequiel Pérez Companc's number 25 Audi at Turn 3.

Verstappen went for the inside line, but there was not enough room between the two cars. Contact followed, and Pérez Companc was sent spinning.

The Red Bull driver was heard venting his frustration over the radio from inside the cockpit in the immediate aftermath.

Stewards hand down verdict

The GTWCE stewards reviewed the incident and opted for a reprimand plus a single behaviour warning point rather than a harsher sanction. Three points trigger an automatic five-place grid penalty.

"The stewards reviewed the video evidence and heard from the drivers of car 3 and car 25," the stewards said in a statement.

"The driver of car 25 stated that he was focused on the cars in front of him and could not see car 3 on his right. He considered the incident to be an unfortunate racing incident.

"The driver of car 3 explained that he was attempting to pass, expecting car 25 to stay on the outside of the turn. He was surprised when car 25 turned in.

"After thoroughly reviewing the case, the stewards concluded that car 3 had caused an avoidable collision with car 25 at Turn 3 and was entirely at fault for the incident."

Despite placing full blame on Verstappen, the stewards pointed to mitigating circumstances for their choice of penalty.

"The incident took place on the first lap of the first free practice session, and the line of cars in front of car 25 affected the line that car 25 could take," the statement added. "Therefore, the stewards decided to impose the penalty mentioned above."