Verstappen berates 'bulls**t' investigation: 'They create it themseleves'

Max Verstappen has slated the decision by the Mexico City Grand Prix stewards to open an investigation into pit lane impeding.

The Red Bull driver was called to a hearing after he was adjuded to have held position too long at the pit exit, attempting to create a space for his qualifying run in Q1.

George Russell was also called in for an investigation for a similar alleged offence, though both drivers were subsequently cleared.

The issue has arisen from the decision from FIA Race Director Niels Wittich to impose a maximum lap time between Safety Car line 2 and Safety Car line 1, a measure taken to prevent dangerous situations as drivers back up to create space in the final sector of the lap.

But drivers clearly exploit the space between the pit exit line and second Safety Car line to create their gaps, prompting the investigation.

Verstappen: 'Everyone should be held accountable'

"Bulls**t. They create it themselves with that new rule," Verstappen told Dutch media including RacingNews365 when addressing the investigation.

"Everyone is trying to create space for themselves. I saw that behind me someone was overtaking five cars in the pits at once, and the person wanted to overtake me too, whereas when I exited I wanted to create my own gap.

"But everyone does this, so I'm surprised that... well, I'm just surprised,

"I think everyone should be held accountable for driving in each other's way because with this new rule, everyone drives slowly in the pit lane. So I don't think I did anything strange or wrong."