The FIA ​​has indicated that “significant penalties” could be imposed in the future for the breaches that saw four F1 drivers summoned to meet with stewards after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were all found to have breached the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) rules after the chequered flag flew in Baku.

When the Baku race ended under VSC, following the penultimate lap collision between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, overtaking on the cooling lap – which is customary under normal circumstances – was not allowed. However, all four drivers were found guilty.

None of these low-speed actions occurred near the scene of the incident between Ferrari and Red Bull. However, the stewards took a less than sympathetic view of the indiscretion as they “could not know whether emergency equipment or police would be deployed to the track”, according to the decision documents.

The four drivers were eventually cautioned as the incident had not been detected and punished in the past.

“The stewards were aware that this incident had occurred earlier this season but had not been detected at the time,” the decision documents read.

“We are therefore warning the driver concerned, as well as all other participants.”

However, the stewards also made some important and cautionary remarks about future offences involving overtaking under VSC conditions after the chequered flag had been raised, adding: “Further offences may result in significant penalties”.

The extent of such a penalty is yet to be determined and is open to interpretation by future regulators, but it is a clear warning to the F1 field.