An official FIA document, the governing body of Formula 1, explains why Max Verstappen avoided a more severe sanction.
On Sunday, Verstappen departed from the pole position at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, played in the Yeddah Corniche Circuit.
However, the Dutch chances of winning the race vanished after receiving a sanction of 5 seconds for an incident in the first round that involved the star of McLaren, Oscar Piestri.
Both pilots entered the first curve tied, with piastri inside and Verstappen on the outside.
As he approached the curve, the Red Bull driver had to get out of the track before reincorporating the action in first position.
After being investigated by the commissioners, Verstappen received a sanction for “leaving the track and obtaining advantage.”
Piastri won the race ahead of the Dutchman and the Ferrari star, Charles Leclerc.
After the race, Verstappen was visibly impressed and refused to participate in the celebration with champagne on the podium before the chief of Red Bull, Christian Horner, presented images to challenge the sanction.
However, according to the official FIA document, things could have been worse for Verstappen.
The document established that the usual sanction for leaving the track to obtain an advantage would be 10 seconds.
However, the FIA explained: «Normally, the base sanction to leave the track and obtain a lasting advantage is 10 seconds.
However, since it was an incident in the first round and the first curve, we consider it an attenuating circumstance and imposed a sanction of 5 seconds ».
Luckily for Verstappen, he will not receive an extra point in his license for his struggle with Piastri.
The Dutch journalist of F1, Erik Van Haren, wrote on social networks: “By the way, Verstappen will not receive an extra point in his license.” Because it was not a dangerous incident (gaining advantage when leaving the track).
“Verstappen already added eight points; the first ones are added at the end of June.”
The F1 will return next month with the Miami Grand Prix, which will be held on May 4.
