Max Verstappen and three other F1 drivers avoided penalties after an investigation for overtaking under Virtual Safety Car conditions during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Verstappen, along with Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg, were summoned to the stewards for allegedly overtaking after yellow flags were displayed following the end of the race in Baku. The VSC was triggered when Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz crashed near Turn 3, and the no-overtaking rule remained in place until the chequered flag.

Although the drivers were seen overtaking on the in-lap, all four were cleared but issued warnings from the stewards, who cautioned that any future violations could lead to penalties.

Verstappen, who finished behind Lando Norris and lost three points in the title race, argued that a full Safety Car should have been deployed instead of the VSC and maintained that he had followed the rules.

“I did everything correctly,” Verstappen told the media. “I crossed the finish line properly at the chequered flag. On the in-lap, at the end of the race, there are many examples where it’s the same. VSC, Safety Car, you drive back in and people are passing each other slowly or waving congratulations. So I’m quite surprised.”

F1’s stewards in Baku issued a consistent verdict for all drivers involved, stating:

“The driver overtook other cars after the chequered flag, but while a VSC was still in place, following the crash at Turn 2. While overtaking after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited under yellow flags, Safety Car, or VSC conditions. The drivers could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were on the track and were required to proceed with caution. The Stewards are aware that this has occurred earlier this season and went unnoticed. Therefore, we are issuing a warning to the driver and all competitors. Future violations may result in significant penalties."