BREAKING: Max Verstappen handed double penalty after controversial sprint race in Sao Paulo

In a dramatic twist during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint race, reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen faced a double penalty. It came after an investigation revealed a potential infringement of the virtual safety car (VSC) regulations. The incident has stirred reactions from fans and teams alike, as the penalties directly affected Verstappen’s sprint race standing and his championship lead.

The controversy began when Verstappen, running in the top three, encountered a VSC situation after Nico Hulkenberg's Haas needed recovery. As a result, all drivers were required to maintain a controlled speed within a specified delta time. However, Verstappen, in a move that would soon come under scrutiny, closed the gap on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at an unusual pace.

Here is the video:

UPDATE: Stewards are investigating Max Verstappen for a Virtual Safety Car Infringement #F1Sprint #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/sCO26Uo7mt

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2024

Seconds before the VSC period was set to end, Verstappen surged to pull alongside Piastri, momentarily placing himself in an advantageous position. Realizing his potential misstep, Verstappen quickly fell back, leaving a few car lengths between himself and the McLaren before the green flag signalled the race’s resumption.

Good news for Lando Norris?

The FIA stewards investigated Verstappen’s actions and found that he had exceeded the minimum delta time as the VSC concluded. In light of this, the Red Bull driver was hit with a five-second time penalty and an additional penalty point on his license. The time penalty resulted in Verstappen dropping from third to fourth place in the sprint race results, reducing his championship lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris to 44 points.

This penalty has sparked fresh debates about the fairness and consistency of FIA regulations, particularly as Verstappen had attempted to correct his position just moments before the VSC concluded. Nonetheless, the stewards remained firm on their ruling, citing the importance of adhering to the delta time to ensure safety and prevent any competitive advantage during caution periods. It’s worth noting that Verstappen also earned a penalty point to his license leading to 7 in the last 1 year.