Verstappen Under Investigation After Sprint Qualifying Incident at Miami GP
Miami, FL — Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen faces scrutiny from race stewards following a controversial incident during sprint qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll described the situation as “dangerous” when he encountered Verstappen on the racing line heading into the final hairpin.
As Stroll approached the corner, he was forced to maneuver around Verstappen’s Red Bull, which sparked a heated reaction over the team radio. “Verstappen was completely in the middle of the track in the last corner. I had to brake on the inside,” Stroll stated, emphasizing that the incident may have cost him a spot in the next qualifying phase.
Stroll, who finished qualifying in P16, expressed frustration at the traffic encountered throughout the session: “We lost like three or four tenths just there. I hope they investigate it because if we can just drive on the line, it’s not so fun for the guys on push laps.”
Verstappen ultimately qualified fourth, behind polesitter Andrea Kimi Antonelli and both McLaren drivers, but he could now face consequences for allegedly driving unnecessarily slowly and failing to adhere to the race director’s directives. Under FIA regulations, driving in a dangerous manner is strictly prohibited, and the event notes specified a maximum lap time of 1:45 to avoid such situations.
The conclusions from the stewards’ investigation are eagerly anticipated, as they may impact Verstappen’s standing in both the qualifying results and the upcoming race.
