“THIS UNFAIR” Max Verstappen Reaction to FIA official ‘significant penalties’ warning after Azerbaijan GP

Four Formula 1 drivers, including Max Verstappen, have been given official ‘significant penalty’ warnings following a chaotic end to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The race, which was won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, developed into a four-way battle for the victory between the Australian, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez.

Piastri had overtaken Leclerc using DRS after the pair’s first pit stops, and responded with a stoic defence of his lead for over 30 laps.

He managed to pull away in the closing stages as Leclerc’s tyres faltered, with the Monegasque having to defend from Perez.

But when he shut the door on the Red Bull driver at turn one, Sainz got involved in the battle – and he and Perez had a huge crash on the straight after turn two.

The crash brought out the virtual safety car, which effectively ended the race.

Shortly after the chequered flag, it was announced that four drivers were under investigation by the stewards for potential VSC infringements.

Championship leader Verstappen was one of the four drivers to be called to the stewards, alongside the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon as well as Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg.

It emerged that Verstappen had gone past George Russell and his championship rival Lando Norris to congratulate them on their third and fourth-placed finishes.

But Norris alerted his race engineer Will Joseph to a potential infringement from the Dutchman.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, saw Hulkenberg overtaking drivers.

Sainz and Perez were also sent to the stewards for their crash, but it was deemed to be a racing incident.

Verstappen, Ocon, Gasly and Hulkenberg all received a warning from the FIA – but there was a key detail within the stewards’ reasoning.

A statement reads: “The driver was reminded that while passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in case of yellows, safety car or virtual safety car procedures.

“While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution.

“We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties.”