Angry Verstappen: “Greetings to the stewards”

The Formula 1 race in Las Vegas (USA) on Sunday started with a bang. World champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull attacked pole sitter Charles Leclerc right at the start and pushed him away in the first corner.

19 November 2023

From: zor

Verstappen got off to a dream start and put the Ferrari star in trouble on the inside. However, Verstappen was unable to maintain the ideal line in the first corner due to the excess speed and went over the track limit. In order to avoid an accident, Leclerc also had to open the corner. In the end, Verstappen passed on the inside and took the lead.

As expected, the incident ended up with the race stewards. The Red Bull pit wall then informed their driver and said that in order to avoid a possible penalty, he could give the position back to Leclerc. Verstappen fumed and responded accordingly: “Greetings to the stewards.” They announced the penalty a little later, and Verstappen was given a 5-second time penalty.

The Dutchman had to serve the time penalty at the first pit stop, and after 1 seconds he continued his race with new tires - in 7,7th place. Typical Verstappen: On lap 8 he squeezed past George Russel in the Mercedes on the inside. Parts of the Brit's car flew off and the safety car went out on the track. The stewards investigated the incident - Russell received a 25 second penalty.