Australian Grand Prix first practice pace-setter Max Verstappen has been slapped with a €700 fine by Formula 1 stewards. The Red Bull driver went fastest in the opening practice session, but was clocked at 86.4kph (53.6mph) while entering the pitlane. That was 6.4kph (3.9mph) over the 80kph (49.7mph) speed limit in force during this weekend. Verstappen had clocked a time of 1:18.790 in the opening practice session on the Soft tyres to end fastest, a healthy margin clear of Lewis Hamilton and teammate Sergio Perez in second and third.

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