Verstappen faces post-race investigation along with five other drivers and McLaren · RaceFans

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix stewards are investigating incidents involving six drivers and one team following today’s race.

Max Verstappen is the highest-placed driver and only points-scorer who faces an investigation. The stewards are summoning him, as well as Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, over a Virtual Safety Car infringement.

The only VSC period occured on the penultimate lap of the race following the collision between Carlos Sainz Jnr and Sergio Perez. The stewards confirmed the quartet are under investigation for “overtaking under Virtual Safety Car conditions after the chequered flag.” Lewis Hamilton said on his radio he saw Hulkenberg overtaking him and other drivers.

Verstappen denied breaking the rules. “I didn’t pass under the Virtual Safety Car,” he told Sky. “We crossed the line, the race is finished, and there are a lot of examples in the past, this year as well, when we have done exactly the same thing. So for me I’m a bit surprised.”

The other two drivers under investigation are Sainz and Perez, for the collision between the pair which triggered the VSC. They tangled on the straight between turns two and three as the Red Bull driver tried to overtake the Ferrari. The pair have been summoned to meet the stewards at 5:30pm local time.

The stewards have also announced McLaren are under investigation for potentially breaking the rule which states: “team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as their work is complete.” The stewards have summoned them to a meeting at 5:20pm local time, noting they had “team personnel and equipment in pit lane during the race,” potentially when they were not allowed to.

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