Max Verstappen topped the timesheets in Qatar Qualifying, ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris. But after being summoned post-session for a potential breach of Article 33.4 of the F1 Sporting Regulations, the stewards have handed him a one-place grid drop for the Qatar Grand Prix.

Article 33.4 states that, “At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.”

The stewards reviewed the available data and evidence, and heard from Max Verstappen and George Russell in reaching their conclusion. In their statement they refer to the different strategies Verstappen and Russell were on in preparing for their final push laps. 

Max was outside his delta and had let Norris and Alonso pass, while George claimed he had “adhered to the delta and did not expect” Max to be on the racing line going slowly. George reportedly commented that a car going slow in a high speed corner should not be placed on the racing line.

The stewards acknowledged that this is an unusual circumstance given that both drivers were on preparation laps rather than push laps but note that “it was obvious” that Verstappen was trying to cool his tyres and could see Russell approaching in his mirrors.

They chose to mitigate the usual 3-place grid drop penalty for impeding to a 1-place drop in light of neither driver being on a push lap and Russell having “clear visibility” of Verstappen.

Max has also been given 1 penalty point on his superlicence for the incident, bringing him to a total of 6 for the 12 month period.