Verstappen at risk of grid drop for not lifting for double yellow flags

Max Verstappen has been summoned to the stewards after footage emerged of the Dutchman failing to lift for waved double yellow flags.

The Red Bull driver could be hit with a grid drop for the Qatar Grand Prix if he is found guilty of the offence though any decision won’t be known until Sunday.

Following Pierre Gasly’s puncture in the final moments of qualifying, there were yellow flags on track after the final corner as the AlphaTauri driver pulled to the side of the circuit.

Verstappen was one of the only drivers to improve his lap time on his final lap and the new footage shows double waved yellows at a marshal post before the start/finish line.

Green lights can be seen on the right side of the track though the two light panels showing green are the FIA weighbridge area of the pit lane.

While there were no yellow lights on his dashboard to indicate a yellow flag in the area, the flags can be seen on the left-hand side of the circuit. The Red Bull driver doesn’t lift off the throttle and improves his time that was good enough for P2.

Under Article 2.5.5.b of the FIA international Sporting Code and under the race director’s notes 7.1, Verstappen is alleged to have fallen foul of rules relating to not respecting double waved yellows.

Both Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz have also been summoned though both are under suspicion of not lifting under single yellow flags.

Earlier this season, Sebastian Vettel was hit with a five-place grid penalty in Bahrain for failing to lift for double yellow flags during qualifying.

Verstappen himself was handed a three-place grid penalty for failing to slow for yellow flags during qualifying for the 2019 Mexican Grand Prix after claiming pole position.

The hearing for the Qatar incident will be heard on Sunday ahead of the race at 1pm local time (10am GMT).

Sainz and Bottas will also see the stewards at 1:30 and 1:45pm respectively local time.