F1: Max Verstappen gets his wrists slapped at Spa

Max Verstappen got his wrists slapped by the Belgian Grand Prix stewards for a practice start infringement at the end of Friday’s second practice.

Practicing a start at the end of Friday’s second practice Verstappen overtook the Mercedes of George Russell.

That saw him called up before the stewards at 19:15 local time in Belgium, the driver and a Red Bull representative making his case.

After a lengthy delay in issuing their decision, finally making a ruling on Saturday morning, the stewards confirmed a breach of Article 12.2.1.i) of the FIA International Sporting Code.

However, instead of a penalty, they gave him a warning.

The statement from the stewards read: “The Stewards heard from the drivers of Car 1 and team representatives and reviewed video evidence.

“At 17:59 during the second practice, the driver of Car 1 passed a car that was in line to do practice starts and cut into the line to do a practice start, thereby not leaving in the order he arrived.

“This is a breach of the Racing Director’s Event Notes and the Stewards issued a Warning.

“Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.”