Max Verstappen Faces Second Stewards’ Inquiry at Japanese GP

Max Verstappen will return to the stewards during the Japanese GP weekend after two separate practice incidents at Suzuka. The Red Bull driver was involved in a late FP1 clash with Lewis Hamilton near the 130R corner.

Practice incidents at Suzuka

During FP1, Verstappen and Hamilton met approaching the fast 130R bend. The FIA launched an inquiry after a driver was noted for allegedly driving unnecessarily slowly or erratically.

FP2 produced a second close-call. Twenty minutes into the session, Alpine rookie Franco Colapinto was weaving along the main straight toward 130R.

Verstappen arrived rapidly behind Colapinto and had to brake sharply to avoid contact. Stewards cited Colapinto for driving in an erratic manner.

Stewards’ response and pundit reaction

The citation for Colapinto marks a second stewards’ inquiry involving Verstappen during the Japanese GP weekend. The FP1 matter remains under review by the FIA.

Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok criticised Colapinto. He described the driver as “asleep” for failing to check mirrors and called the behaviour unacceptable.

The outcomes of both inquiries are pending. Further updates will follow as stewards release their findings.

Reporting for Filmogaz.com.