Four drivers – Max Verstappen, Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon – were all hit with a warning for overtaking under the Virtual Safety Car regime at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The group was summoned to the stewards after Sunday’s race, but Verstappen was the only driver at risk of receiving an impacting sanction as the Dutchman was the only one who had finished the event in the points – in fifth position.
The VCS was activated immediately in the aftermath of the last crash involving Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez who came together and crashed on the penultimate lap of the race.
While the four summoned drivers were respectful of the VSC on the final lap of the race, all four passed other drivers after the checkered flag, a move that was frowned upon by the stewards.
The officials reminded the group that no overtaking is allowed under VSC conditions, even after the checkered flag.
“The driver overtook other cars after the chequered flag, but while a VSC was still being displayed, following the crash at turn two,” the stewards noted.
“The driver was reminded that while passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car procedures.
"While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution.”
The stewards acknowledged that a similar incident occurred earlier this season during the Australian Grand Prix, an instance in which no sanctions were applied. However, they stated that such incidents may be subject to different penalties in the future.
“The stewards are aware that this has happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time,” they said.
“We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties.”
Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Gasly and Ocon were all handed a formal warning.
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