Max Verstappen was unimpressed about being summoned to the stewards at the Qatar Grand Prix over his qualifying near-miss with George Russell.
The pair locked out the front row at the Lusail International Circuit, but almost came together during the closing stages of the grid-setting session.
The Dutchman was judged to have been going too slowly on his final preparation lap. It led to him being summoned to see the stewards.
If found guilty of the alleged offence, he would be handed a grid penalty, something that would elevate the Mercedes driver to pole position.
To Verstappen, even being called in front of the FIA officials does not make sense, arguing he was merely doing what was expected of him.
"If they take this away, then of course it doesn't make any sense at all," Verstappen stressed to media including RacingNews365.
"We were all just driving slowly. I wouldn't know what I could have done differently. The fact that I have to go there is already very strange to me."
"Otherwise, next time I'll just drive full throttle too and pretend I'm crashing everywhere. Then George should have just braked. I'm braking too, aren't I?"
There have been a considerable number of drivers noted for falling short of the maximum lap time expectations so far at the Qatar Grand Prix, but Verstappen's incident almost led to contact with Russell behind, which could prove the differentiating factor.
Update: The F1 stewards have opted to hand Verstappen a one-place grid penalty. Read about it here!
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!
Adolf and Rosie Iten
it shows again dat the FIA are incompetent with ther rules. i watch formula 1 sinc 1960 but i think it is time i give it a miss. thys is not racing anymore thys is pure politics . FIA shame on you. i am an ex racing driver 1968 touring cars in DEUTSCHLAND . i have been do most formula 1 race tracks in Europa . but life for nealy 50 years in southafrica very close do KYALAMY . and still race offroad races with a toyota lancruiser F 75 diesel 1HZ turbo 275 kw. with my mats. the last one was the 1000km dessert race in Botswana placing 11 out of 42 on the start. dat is racing and fun with my navigator my son Jakob i am still a only swiss citizen wher hi is southafrican and swiss with passports. i am 74 lets do it until i can. ca. 6 races a year. fu-fun- fun .