Lando Norris insists he did not complain about Max Verstappen overtaking cars under VSC conditions after the Baku GP. He simply “stated facts”.
Verstappen had to visit the race control after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday after being reported for an alleged violation of the virtual safety car rule while overtaking after the chequered flag.
Did Lando Norris get Max Verstappen in trouble with the FIA?
The Grand Prix ended under VSC conditions and Oscar Piastri won ahead of Charles Leclerc.
The duo, who had been locked in a thrilling battle for most of the 51-lap race, were given a breather as they took a relaxed ride to the chequered flag after the VSC was settled on the penultimate lap due to Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez’s heavy crash at Turn 3.
The accident put George Russell on the podium, Norris fought his way up from 15th place on the grid to fourth place and Verstappen finished fifth.
After the chequered flag, Verstappen caught Norris on the approach to Turn 18 and waved to his title rival and good friend before overtaking Russell before the right-hander of Turn 19 and giving him the thumbs up.
Norris reported McLaren’s overtaking of Verstappen and said over the radio: “Max is overtaking everyone. It’s still a VSC, right? I don’t know if that matters anymore or not, but it’s still a VSC.”
Shortly afterwards, the Dutchman was called to the race control for overtaking under virtual safety car conditions after the checkered flag, which constitutes a violation of Article 12.2.1 h) of the International Sporting Code.
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Norris stresses that his intention was not to get Verstappen into trouble, but to know whether what he was doing was allowed.
Interview by F1 TVWhen asked what he had “complained” about to Max Verstappen, he quickly replied: “I didn’t complain about anything, I just stated facts.”
“I just had VSC with the yellow lights on my dashboard. Apparently there was an accident with paramedics on the track, which normally means no overtaking, but he overtook.
“So I questioned it, I asked my team about it because I thought overtaking was not allowed, but maybe I’m wrong.”
Verstappen, for his part, was surprised to be investigated by the race stewards because he “did not get under the virtual safety car”.
“We have crossed the finish line, the race is over. There are many examples in the past and this year where exactly the same thing has happened to us. So I’m a little surprised.”
In its decision, race control pointed out that Sunday’s race was not the first time this season that a driver had overtaken after the race under VSC conditions. Verstappen received a warning for Baku, but “further violations can result in significant penalties.”
The Dutchman was one of four drivers, along with Nico HĂĽlkenberg, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, who received a warning for the same violation in Azerbaijan.
By taking the chequered flag ahead of Verstappen in Baku and setting the fastest lap, Norris reduced the gap in the drivers’ championship to 59 points with seven races remaining.
Read more: Conclusions from the Azerbaijan GP: Piastri’s title warning, driver coach Perez, keep Bearman in the race
