Hamilton comments on Verstappen’s Qatar GP grid penalty

© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Lewis Hamilton has given his comments on Max Verstappen’s five-place grid penalty for ignoring double-waved yellow flags at the Qatar Grand Prix Qualifying.

Max Verstappen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for ignoring double-waved yellow flags in the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix Qualifying.

This means the Dutch driver will drop down from his original P2 to P7 on race start. Furthermore, Valtteri Bottas has also been hit with a three-place grid penalty for ignoring single-waved flags, and will start the race from P6.

Hamilton was asked to give his comments on Verstappen’s penalty.

“My only reaction is: consistency is key,” said the Briton.

“In Austria [in 2020] I got a three-place penalty for a single yellow flag I didn’t see. It’s good that they stick to the book.

“We’ve just got to focus on our job today,” concluded the Briton.


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Yesterday, before Verstappen’s verdict was known, Toto Wolff also gave his comments on the incident.

“I’ve just seen it,” the Austrian said.

“I think [it was] a flashing yellow light on the left, and then these passing the double waved yellow, and there is a standing car on the road, so I guess it’s a bit of a triple whammy.

“[Red Bull have] gone after us with a yellow flag with [Alex] Albon, I believe it was – [for] passing a yellow flag on the outside. It’s in the stewards’ hands”

However, Wolff refused to get into debating what kind of penalty Verstappen should receive.

“It’s in the stewards’ hands. I wouldn’t want to comment much more on what should happen or must happen, or what was…

“I think the stewards are looking at it and they need to come up with a verdict,” Mercedes’ team boss concluded.

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