Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Haas F1 Team
Ben McCrum
Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Haas F1 Team
Max Verstappen and two other Formula One drivers have been summoned to race stewards after competing in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.
Following Lewis Hamilton's dominant display in the first F1 sprint race of the season earlier in the day, the qualifying sessions for the Chinese Grand Prix got underway early on Saturday morning.
McLaren star Oscar Piastri improved on his second place finish in the sprint as claimed his first-ever pole position ahead of British pair George Russell and Lando Norris.
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But in the wake of the sessions, reigning champion Verstappen has been ordered to report to race stewards along with two other drivers due to incidents in qualifying.
After failing to hold on to second-place in the sprint earlier in the day, Verstappen just missed out on a podium start as he qualified for the Grand Prix in fourth, while teammate Liam Lawson continued to disappoint, qualifying in 20th.
However, perhaps the most surprising performance from a Red Bull driver on Saturday came from rookie Isack Hadjar who, after a disastrous debut race in Australia, took his Racing Bulls car to a highly-impressive seventh in qualifying.
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But things could be about to change for the young Frenchman, as the FIA are investigating him for an unsafe release that allegedly hindered Verstappen during qualifying.
The incident, which was shown on screen at the Shanghai International Circuit, happened during Q3 as Verstappen narrowly dodged a crash with the rookie when Racing Bulls released Hadjar into the path of the world champion,
Luckily, Verstappen was able to quickly make a move to avoid a more serious incident, and was seen shaking his head in the cockpit shortly afterwards.
Both men were summoned to report to race stewards at 1715 local time - 0915 UK time - to discuss the issue, with a result expected shortly.
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But the RB drivers weren't the only men summoned to the stewards after qualifying on Saturday, as Haas youngster Oliver Bearman also faced a meeting with the FIA for allegedly obstructing Lance Stroll.
Bearman suffered a disappointing day in qualifying as he will start Sunday's race in 17th after exiting in Q1.
But before his exit from the session, the 19-year-old was involved in an incident with Aston Martin driver Stroll off the exit of Turn 13, forcing the Canadian to impede his fast lap and manoeuvre off the racing line and go around Bearman to avoid a crash.
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Stroll qualified in 14th and following the end of Q3 both men reported to race stewards, who decided no further action was necessary.