MAX VERSTAPPEN was slapped with a £43,000 fine for touching title rival Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes car after qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Verstappen was caught examining the rear wing of Hamilton’s Mercedes in a fan video which circulated on social media after finishing second to the Brit in Friday’s session.
Hamilton’s car was ultimately seemed to have broken technical regulations concerning DRS, leading to him being forced to start Saturday’s sprint race from the pits.
But that did not spare Verstappen, who copped a hefty fine for breaching Parc Ferme rules.
Rules state that under Parc Ferme, only the officials assigned may enter the paddock and ‘no operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed unless authorised by the same officials or by the applicable regulations’.
Verstappen was called to see stewards on Saturday morning in Sao Paulo and was joined by Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
The meeting lasted less than half an hour and it was confirmed later that the Dutchman has been fined.
Verstappen could not take full advantage of Hamilton’s disqualification as he was beaten by Valtteri Bottas in Saturday’s 23-lap sprint race – despite being bumped up to pole.
But two extra world championship points means the Red Bull whizkid now has a 21 point lead over his closest rival in the title standings, with four races left.
Hamilton, who was forced to start in the pit lane, recovered with a stunning surge through the field to finish an astonishing fifth, keeping his hopes alive.
Britain’s seven-time world champ will start tenth on the grid for Sunday’s 71-lap race due to a separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
