Max Verstappen summoned to stewards after investigation into incident at Belgian GP | F1 | Sport

World champion Max Verstappen was summoned to the stewards following an investigation over an incident involving the Dutchman during practice at the Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen is out in Belgium looking to extend his healthy lead at the top of the drivers’ standings, with the 24-year-old currently a whopping 80 points ahead of second place Charles Leclerc.Following his outing in the second practice at Spa, the world champion was called into the stewards’ room following an incident in the final moments of the session. Towards the end of the session, the pitlane was a crowded one with drivers heading out onto the track for one final test start.Verstappen – who proved the fastest out on the track on Friday – has been alleged to have breached ‘Article 12.2.1 i) of the International Sporting Code’ and ‘non-compliance with Race Director’s Event Note (Item 12, Document 3)’ following his restart in Belgium. The FIA have since confirmed that the world champion has escaped the investigation with a warning following his infringement.The FIA confirmed in a statement: “The driver of car 1 passed a car that was in line to do practice starts and cut into the line to do a practice start, thereby not leaving in the order he arrived.”Ahead of Sunday’s race, the Dutch star is already well aware that he will be starting at the back of the grid after receiving an engine penalty. He is not the only driver to receive the sanction with title rival Leclerc also suffering the same fate, as well as McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’ Mick Schumacher.The sanctions were confirmed by the FIA on Friday, with Verstappen taking new internal combustion engines, turbochargers and MGU-Hs pushing him over the power unit season limit. Verstappen’s Red Bull boss Christian Horner has explained exactly why the team have chosen to take the power unit penalty, explaining the tactical reason to take the decision around the Spa track.



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