Verstappen avoids penalty for FP2 red flag incident at Zandvoort after stewards investigation

The stewards have made a ruling of no further action against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, after the home hero was called before them on Saturday morning to answer questions relating to an alleged overtake under red flag conditions in Free Practice 2 for the Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen gave his side of events after he was alleged to have passed Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin while red flags were flown, following Lewis Hamilton pulling to the side of the track with an issue early in FP2.

READ MORE: 5 things we learned from Friday practice for the Dutch GP

But after hearing the evidence, the stewards ruled that the matter wouldn’t be pursued further, writing in their verdict: “It is our conclusion that [Verstappen] took every reasonable action to comply with the regulations in that he immediately reduced speed in a safe manner at the earliest opportunity upon the first indication of the red flag, even before a red flag or red light panel was visible to him.”

READ MORE: Verstappen says he would have topped FP2 at Zandvoort without red flag

Had Verstappen been found guilty, it would have been within the power of the stewards to hand out a grid penalty to the Dutch star, which could have been particularly punishing around the tight confines of the 2.6-mile Zandvoort track on Sunday.