Max Verstappen summoned to stewards as Red Bull star faces Austrian GP penalty

Max Verstappen’s pole position could be under threat with the Red Bull star summoned to the stewards. The Dutchman has been called into race control after reportedly impeding the Haas of Kevin Magnussen during the qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday.

Verstappen will meet the stewards at 7pm UK time with a decision to be announced shortly afterwards after being accused of impeding Magnussen’s Haas during. 

It could be a major blow to the world championship leader who topped all three qualifying sessions this afternoon, meaning he would be set to first on the grid for the race on Sunday. But he is in now danger of losing his hard-earned pole position. 

The championship leader has won six out of the eight races in the 2023 season so far. However, the Dutchman may have landed himself in hot water ahead of the main event at the Red Bull Ring, the home race of the Austrian team, with the sprint race due to take place on Saturday.

The incident took place with just under six minutes remaining in the Q1 session. After setting the quickest time of the session, Verstappen had just begun his second consecutive cool-down lap.

As he rounded the first corner at a slower speed, the 25-year-old stayed on the racing line and kept on the kerb. Behind him, Magnussen was starting another push up and Verstappen – seemingly unaware of the driver approaching him – was in his way.

Magnussen was shown a white flag and was therefore aware a car ahead would be travelling at a reduced speed. But when the Haas man caught him at the end of turn one, Magnussen was hampered by the Red Bull star.

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