Formula 1 | Whiting defends the commission's choice in Austin: "Verstappen was the only one to gain from a cut"

In a press conference organized by the FIA ​​in Mexico City, Charlie Whiting explained the reasons that led the Commission to penalize Max Verstappen's maneuver against Kimi Raikkonen.

Whiting highlighted how the Dutchman was the only one to gain from a cut, making an overtake with four wheels in addition to the white line. This is not permitted by the Sporting Regulations, especially if you can see a clear advantage such as overtaking. The Englishman also spoke about the other cases seen in Austin (Bottas on Ricciardo, Bottas on Verstappen and Vettel on Hamilton.ed.), underlining how in these episodes there was no clear advantage in terms of time. The Management can evaluate the incident through the micro sectors and from there it emerged that there was no disadvantage for the drivers who attempted to overtake.

Here are the words of Charlie Whiting: “I would like to underline that in the Verstappen case there was unanimity on the part of the Commission, a very rare case. Max's episode is quite clear, if not downright simple: he cuts the curve with four wheels, receiving a clear advantage as he closes an overtaking move. This is not permitted by the sporting regulations. I've heard of analyzes on other cases, but there are no clear advantages there. There are some wheels out, true, but no advantage in terms of time has emerged from the micro sectors."

“Over this past weekend in Austin - he added - we analyzed the exit of turn 19, but did not apply an aggressive judgement. We don't want a witch hunt because it would involve analyzing every single curve. There would be millions and millions of complaints and we don't want that. Going off track is not wrong regardless, but each case must be carefully evaluated. We will evaluate alternatives to avoid similar cases, perhaps additional bollards or curbs, but we will not apply zero tolerance."

Roberto Valenti