FIA make decision on Max Verstappen penalty after his 'middle finger' gesture to other F1 team's engineers

The FIA have made a decision on Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver appeared to aim a middle finger gesture at another team's pit wall during pre-season testing.

The reigning four-time world champion is in the Red Bull for the entirety of the third and final day after sitting out day two.

Verstappen has appeared confident as to the pace of the Red Bull RB21 - but refused to give too much away when asked.

"It's just improved everywhere compared to last year," he told media on Thursday. "I don't want to go too much into details. It's not necessary. We can keep that for ourselves."

Red Bull have ran into some issues during testing, including a water pressure fault that affected Liam Lawson's running on Thursday.

The New Zealander also had a spin on Wednesday but managed to continue.

Verstappen's running, however, has been almost issue-free - except a bizarre incident on Friday morning.

As he exited the pit lane for a practice start on Friday morning, the Dutchman appeared to make a middle finger gesture towards the Williams pit wall.

It is claimed that the gesture was made in a jocular manner to the pit wall, as Verstappen had spotted one of their engineers attempting to take a photo of the front of the Red Bull.

Viewers speculated over whether Verstappen may be punished over the gesture, given the FIA's clampdown on swearing over team radio and in press interviews.

But the FIA have now confirmed that they will not be investigating Verstappen over the gesture.

They told the Dutch outlet of Motorsport.com: "This happened 'on the field' and is therefore different from an official interview setting."

Verstappen was infamously ordered to perform community service last year after swearing during a press conference before the Singapore Grand Prix.

He carried out that community service while in Rwanda for the FIA's prizegiving ceremony:

The Dutchman worked with junior drivers as part of Motorsport Rwanda's 'grassroots development programme'.

The programme used an FIA Affordable Cross Car, which 'forms the base of off-road and rally pyramids' and is classed an 'entry point' for younger drivers to race. Design blueprints are made available free of charge to countries.