Max Verstappen mentioned he was not stunned to be handed a grid penalty on the Qatar Grand Prix as he “by no means will get presents” from F1’s race stewards.

Verstappen certified second in Qatar however dropped 5 locations down the grid for failing to gradual for yellow flags on the finish of qualifying.

Verstappen mentioned he had not seen the flags and Pink Bull identified the digital marshalling posts had stopped displaying yellow lights across the circuit, though the stewards identified the Dutch driver ought to have slowed down when he noticed Pierre Gasly’s automotive shifting slowly on the principle straight. Gasly’s automotive had sustained a puncture, triggering the yellow flags.

“No surprises there,” Verstappen informed Sky Sports activities after ending second.

“I knew already final night time that I by no means get presents from them, so it is okay. On the finish, as soon as I knew I used to be beginning seventh, I used to be simply very motivated to maneuver forward and that is precisely what we did.

“We had first lap, after which after 5 laps, we have been second once more. I simply tried to maintain the hole small, which we did all through the entire race, in order that they could not do an additional cease and it gave me the quickest lap on the finish. So I used to be undoubtedly pleased with that.”

Requested if he felt onerous performed by with the stewards name, Verstappen mentioned: “I do not wish to discuss it an excessive amount of as a result of I do not wish to give anybody the pleasure to speak about it much more. But it surely’s after all not nice.”

Verstappen completed second behind title rival Lewis Hamilton and managed to attain the quickest lap bonus level, making certain he saved his championship lead at eight factors.

Verstappen’s boss, Christian Horner, discovered himself in sizzling water after the race attributable to feedback he made in regards to the penalty.

Horner mentioned the marshal who have been waving the yellow flags on the principle straight had “gone rogue”. That noticed him summoned to the FIA race stewards after the race.

Horner was issued an official warning for the feedback, which breached two Articles of the FIA’s Sporting Code about bringing the game and its contributors into disrepute.