F1 world erupts after footage lands Max Verstappen in controversy
Max Verstappen is being investigated after fan footage captured the Red Bull driver appearing to touch his rival's car while parked up.
In a drama-filled day, rivals Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both faced possible sanctions after being accused of breaking the rules ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
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The Dutch driver was filmed by a fan checking out his car in parc ferme after they had parked up post-qualifying.
He then casually walks over to Hamilton's Mercedes and appears to touch the wing.
Article 2.5.1 of the sporting code states that "no operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed" in that secure area unless authorised by officials.
A spokesman for the governing FIA said the officials were awaiting further evidence that would not be available until morning.
A statement then delivered another bombshell by summoning Verstappen and a team representative to a meeting at 0930 local time (1230 GMT) for an alleged breach of the international sporting code.
Verstappen inspecting Hamilton’s rear wing after qualifying today 🔎
(via @frd182)pic.twitter.com/mIhvHOgK5U— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) November 12, 2021
There's a video going round of Verstappen checking the rear wings in parc ferme. And the longer this goes on and doesn't appear so clear cut, I genuinely think if you're Mercedes you're going to be asking if he touched the wing that could have changed anything... #F1 #BrazilGP
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) November 13, 2021
Lewis Hamilton catches F1 stewards attention
Seven times world champion Hamilton dominated qualifying at the Interlagos circuit, but his car then failed a technical check, with the risk of demotion to the back of the sprint field.
Stewards ordered the rear wing assembly to be impounded and the car stored overnight.
The Briton had clocked a fastest time of one minute 07.934 seconds with Verstappen 0.438 slower, a considerable margin around one of the shortest laps on the calendar.
"Let's go," exclaimed Hamilton over the team radio.
Three points are to be won in the sprint but Hamilton's chances of taking them were thrown into doubt by a measurement of millimetres.
The 24-year-old Dutch driver leads Hamilton by 19 points with four races remaining.
with Reuters
