Max Verstappen was investigated by the stewards after qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix but will not receive a penalty, ensuring he retains his third-place grid start.
Why it matters
Verstappen's provisional third-place finish was under threat due to an investigation for exceeding the maximum delta time from the second to the first Safety Car line. A penalty could have significantly impacted his starting position for Sunday's race.
The details
Approximately an hour after the Q3 session, the stewards announced that the Red Bull Racing driver would not be penalized. The FIA's report explained that Verstappen drove 3.8 seconds over the specified delta time after Q3's conclusion.
However, the crucial factor was the yellow flag. The report stated: "The driver of Car 1 showed us telemetry that proved that he would have been within the delta time but for the yellow flag being shown towards the end of the lap – he had to slow significantly to comply with the yellow flag rules. This is what led to his delta time reflecting an infringement in the system." The stewards accepted his rationale, leading to no further action.
What's next
Verstappen will start from P3 on the grid for the Dutch Grand Prix. He qualified approximately two tenths slower than the two McLarens.