Red Bull have been given a formal reprimand after Max Verstappen failed to adhere to the maximum time between the Safety Car lines during qualifying.
The time limit is enforced to ensure drivers do not drive unnecessarily slowly during the qualifying session. Drivers are often investigated for breaching the rule but avoid penalties if they can show they breached the time limit in order to avoid delaying another car. This happened in the case of five drivers in the qualifying session.In Verstappen’s case, the stewards found he failed to adhere to the time limit because his team had incorrectly configured the timing system on his car.
“Car one [Verstappen] was around six seconds above the required [maximum] time between Safety Car Lines one and two for one lap in SQ2, but complied with the requirement in all other laps,” the stewards explained.
“Telemetry showed that the driver was driving with a constant speed throughout the lap without any other cars around as if he was managing the delta at [approximately] six seconds off the relevant number.
“During the hearing the team stated that due to a false programming in the car the delta time displayed in the car had an offset of six seconds and whilst the driver was managing the delta displayed he was constantly [approximately] six seconds above the [maximum] time.”
The stewards said Red Bull advised Verstappen on how to ensure he did not exceed the delta time after they noticed the problem.
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“The team identified the problem by the end of the first cool-down lap and immediately instructed the driver to manage his speed in a way that he would be [at minimum] six seconds below the delta time displayed in the car, which he did in all following laps. This was confirmed by the telemetry.”
As a result the stewards chose to penalise the team rather than the driver, and also noted stiffer punishments could be used for similar incidents in the future.
“The stewards acknowledge that, whilst there has been a breach of the regulations, [Verstappen] did not drive ‘unnecessarily slowly’ based on the information he had in the car and did not impede any other cars or create any dangerous situation and therefore determine that a penalty for the driver is not warranted.
“However, a reprimand to the team is issued as they are responsible for ensuring that correct timing information is displayed in the car.
“It is worth noting that in different circumstances a more severe penalty might be applied for a similar infringement.”
The stewards’ decision means Verstappen’s fourth place on the grid for Saturday’s sprint race is unchanged.
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Riker (@corsair)
3rd May 2025, 1:00
But, I thought he impeded Stroll? Sigh.
Imre (@f1mre)
3rd May 2025, 5:52
How about the impeding of Stroll (and Norris)?
Or you can stay on the racing line in the braking zone?
Marcel
3rd May 2025, 7:30
Both cases were nothing! Norris just tried to get Verstappen a penalty, he had room enough and could have easily stayed on full thorttle. It is like asking for a yellow card for another footballer.
The Stroll case was even more nothing, it was well before the braking zone, Stroll didn’t loose any time. Also Norris was (again) involved in this, driving close behind Verstappen and decided to pass Verstappen just before Stroll arived, leaving Verstappen with no other option to stay on the line to avoid the same situation as Norris and Ocon in FP1.
So, Norris again trying to screw Verstappen (remember Japan?) and Stroll making excuses for his own incompetence again.
BasCB (@bascb)
3rd May 2025, 11:40
It seems they didnt even investigate that. Absurd
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
3rd May 2025, 7:14
Joke – should be usual grid drop and penalty points.
Diez Cilindros (@diezcilindros)
3rd May 2025, 7:19
It’s incredible… the FIA…
Sham (@sham)
3rd May 2025, 7:37
Yea, there was clear impeding of 4 other cars that the broadcast showed – he may as well have joined just stop oil and glued himself to the track.
Riccard
3rd May 2025, 7:52
I accept the stewards’ assessment that this was the team’s fault (through car setup) rather than Verstappen’s.
However – the team, car and driver go racing as a unit. If they collectively impede someone, they collectively deserve a penalty.
Almost all impedings are in some way the team’s fault, due to inadequate radio warnings. That shouldn’t impact the penalty. If they get in the way of a driver on a flying lap without good reason, apply a penalty to reduce that behaviour.
osnola
3rd May 2025, 13:30
He was not penalised for impeding ( strangely enough)
Icarus
3rd May 2025, 14:39
Was he even investigated for impeding Stroll?! It was plain as day on the broadcast that Stroll had to swerve around him in the braking zone because Verstappen just decided to stay on the racing line in the final corner. Stroll even got on the radio to complain about it, so it’s not like it went unnoticed to the team, either.