Verstappen summoned by the hosts to cross under the red flag

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The Dutchman was on a fast lap in the early stages of practice two at Zandvoort when the session was halted after Lewis Hamilton’s car broke down.

On-board images showed the Red Bull driver passing an Aston Martin in a trolley just moments after the red flag appeared, before slowing down.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner was shown footage of Verstappen’s crash on Friday afternoon, but it was clear he felt his driver slipped as quickly as possible.

When Sky asked him at the time if he had heard anything from the hosts, Horner said, “No, nothing, that was the first time I’d seen that.

“Max, as soon as he heard it was a red flag, immediately backed off. I can’t help but think the other car was on a slow lap anyway. So I mean, I was watching the data, and he was completely out of it as soon as he got the red flag message.”

While Verstappen might argue he had little time to react and avoid overtaking Stroll due to his car’s momentum, F1’s rules are clear on red flag rules.

Article 50.2 of the F1 Sports Regulations states that when sessions are suspended: “When overtaking is prohibited, the pit exit will be closed and all cars must advance slowly into the podium lane.”

The FIA ​​has shown itself to be very strict in keeping the red flag rules, with Lando Norris being given a three-place grid penalty at this year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix for failing to enter the parking lot immediately after the red flag.

The McLaren driver had to make a split-second decision on whether or not to go to the pits, and elect to continue.

If Verstappen is found guilty of breaching regulations, the most likely punishment would be a net drop.

This can be particularly costly in Zandvoort, where overtaking is very difficult around the Dutch coastal path.

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