Max Verstappen, accused of breaking the rules during practice for the Belgian Grand Prix, will not be penalised. The Formula 1 world champion had to answer for a possible rule violation after the second free practice on Friday, but eventually got away with a warning.
After the end of practice on Friday, Verstappen made a test start out of the pits but an Alpine driver passed just as the Dutch Red Bull driver started to accelerate. According to the stewards, Verstappen’s attitude caused a dangerous situation.
Verstappen will already start from the back of the grid on Sunday. The leader of the world championship classification uses its fourth engine since the start of the season, one more than expected.
His main rival for the title, Charles Leclerc, also received a grid penalty for having changed the gearbox of his Ferrari, as well as Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris, Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher.
Verstappen will appear on the circuit on Saturday from 1 p.m. for the third free practice. Qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix begins at 4 p.m.