Updated
Updated · Motorsport.com · Jun 27
Verstappen Questions 15-20 Second Flag Delay After Turn 9 Crash as FIA Defends Procedure
Updated
Updated · Motorsport.com · Jun 27

Verstappen Questions 15-20 Second Flag Delay After Turn 9 Crash as FIA Defends Procedure

3 articles · Updated · Motorsport.com · Jun 27

Summary

  • Max Verstappen said it was “quite crazy” that double yellow flags were not shown earlier after his high-speed Turn 9 qualifying crash at the Red Bull Ring.
  • The FIA said standard procedure was followed: marshals immediately displayed a single yellow when Verstappen lost control, then race control upgraded the response 15 to 20 seconds later after assessing the danger once the car hit the barrier.
  • George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli passed the scene during that window under single yellows; Antonelli abandoned his lap, while Russell continued and later took pole.
  • Russell said he never saw Verstappen’s car and assumed it had continued, arguing a single yellow was correct because the Red Bull was far off the track and regulations only required a significant lift rather than an automatic lap deletion.

Insights

In a high-speed F1 crash, should rigid safety protocols overrule the immediate instincts of a world champion driver?
When a driver safety director benefits from a controversial ruling, does it compromise the integrity of F1's safety advocacy?