F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Austin move was to 'avoid an accident' - Verstappen

Max Verstappen justified putting all four wheels inside the track at Austin by the need to avoid an accident with Kimi Raikkonen.

The Red Bull Racing driver denied he had gained an advantage by diving to the extreme right at Turn 17 at COTA as he attempted a bold overtaking move on the Ferrari driver.

He also stuck by his opinion that the stewards' call was wrong.

"The punishment was not correct because everybody was running off the track in turn 19, eight and nine, even in turn six when you were behind someone you were cutting the inside, a lot of cars were doing it," he said.

"I think also the fans like it a lot, it was a great move. And then they tell you you are gaining an advantage while overtaking someone.

"Well, if I was really gaining an advantage I would do it every single lap. Which you are not. So I don’t think it’s gaining an advantage."

Ultimately, the move inside Raikkonen was to avoid contact with the Ferrari driver.

"I think at one point he realised I was trying to overtake him and he tried to close the door," Verstappen explained.

"So you have to avoid it a bit. And then of course the Austin track gives a lot of possibility to run on the inside, like you could see the whole weekend."

The 20-year-old also defended his reaction to the Stewards' call, when he called one specific FIA official - which he refused to identify - an "idiot".

"I think it’s quite normal that a get angry. Of course I could’ve used a few different words but at the end of the day I think the decision is not correct."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

49 mins ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

2 hours ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

3 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

4 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

5 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

6 hours ago