F1 fans want Max Verstappen punished by stewards after Australian GP

Formula One preview: A lap of the Australian Grand Prix

F1 fans have called for Max Verstappen to be penalised after the Dutchman was seen to be outside of his grid box during the Australian Grand Prix. Photos doing the rounds on social media seemed to show the reigning champion just ahead of his box at the last restart.

Esteban Ocon was punished for a similar problem in Bahrain with Fernando Alonso caught out in Saudi Arabia. However, Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok has silenced suggestions Verstappen should be punished by the stewards as he stressed the Red Bull driver had not broken the rules.

He explained: “He’s in his grid box, in first gear, and then he’s moved actually a little bit further forward and then done the launch. If you look at it from on board with Lewis, you can see Max parked in position and then he moves. People at home must be wondering, ‘Hang on a second, has he moved out of his grid box?’

“However, even in that second movement, his tyres is still making contact with the line. So he’s still on the line and it’s okay.”

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Sky Sports commentator David Croft agreed with the former F1 driver as he also sided with race officials. He told the broadcaster: “Here’s the rule ‘any part of the contact patch of its front tyres outside of the lines (front and sides) at the time of the start signal’.”

It is understood that the FIA did check for any infringements after the race and determined Verstappen was in the clear. The images led fans to demand the 25-year-old was penalised like his rivals, which would have seen Lewis Hamilton secure victory.

Social media was rife with supporters clearly annoyed at the lack of action by the race stewards.

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@hamburgerh0tdog Tweeted: “So Max Verstappen gets to cheat again without penalty, meanwhile Sainz gets 5 secs for nothing? F1 is rigged.” @F1_SJVW posted” “Max Verstappen deserves a penalty for his positioning on the grid line come on @fia where is your damn integrity?

@Shmormula1 added: “Max Verstappen was not in his grid box. Are we going to see an Ocon/Alonso penalty or are RBR still above the law?” Verstappen took his second win of the season after a commanding drive at Albert Park.

The reigning champion lost the lead early on as the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell swept past. However, he took advantage of an early red flag to pass both drivers before cruising to his 37th career victory.

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