F1 race directors change Abu Dhabi GP rules at last minute because of Verstappen

Formula 1 race directors changed the rules for the Abu Dhabi GP at the last minute because of Verstappen.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race director Nils Wittich has been forced to announce that Max Verstappen will be banned from overtaking in the pit lane except in extenuating circumstances after his actions caused chaos during the second session of Friday training.

Verstappen was in the news for all the wrong reasons on Friday after a brutal overtaking maneuver in the pit lane. The reigning world champion burst onto the track at the start of the second race and tried to pass the two Mercedes drivers in the underpass.

After passing George Russell, he met teammate Lewis Hamilton in the center of the pit lane on the outside curb to overtake the seven-time world champion. Verstappen almost crashed into the outside wall, risking damage to his RB19 to gain track position. After passing two Mercedes cars, the Dutchman lined up with Alpine rider Pierre Gasly after pulling the same trick. Verstappen explained his role in the pit exit incident: “He has to move! Everything is moving slowly and we all want out because our time is limited and we keep walking in the middle. Then, as I approached, they tried to push me into the wall. It’s kind of stupid.”

The result of Verstappen’s prank was a comment from race director Wittich. In his notes on Saturday morning’s incident, he confirmed: “Pit-exit overtaking is prohibited unless the car has slowed due to obvious problems.”

The three-time world champion was keen to get back on track and put in a few laps after skipping the first free practice session that morning. Before the end of the season, Red Bull did not field new drivers for any car. This meant that Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez were present for the first session.

In Verstappen’s car that morning was Formula E world champion Jake Dennis. The 28-year-old has been a trainer for Red Bull for five years, but this was his first Grand Prix weekend.

Pérez was replaced in the morning by French teenager Isaac Hajjar. He made his F1 debut in the first free practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix earlier this season. The 19-year-old was highly rated by Helmut Marko and is currently preparing for his second Formula 2 campaign.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race director Nils Wittich has been forced to announce that Max Verstappen will be banned from overtaking on the pit lane except in extenuating circumstances after his actions caused chaos during the the second training sessions on Friday. Verstappen was in the news for all the wrong reasons on Friday after a brutal overtaking maneuver in the pit lane. The reigning world champion burst onto the track at the start of Race 2 and attempted to overtake the two Mercedes drivers in the underpass. After passing George Russell, he met team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the center of the pit lane on the outside curb to overtake the seven-time world champion.

Verstappen almost crashed into the outside wall, risking damage to his RB19 to gain track position. After passing two Mercedes cars, the Dutchman lined up with Alpine rider Pierre Gasly after pulling the same trick.

Verstappen explained his role in the pit exit incident: “He has to move! Everyone is driving slowly and we all want to get out because our time is limited and we keep driving downtown. Then, as I approached, they tried to push me into the wall. It’s kind of stupid.”

The result of Verstappen’s prank was a comment from race director Wittich. In his notes on Saturday morning’s incident, he confirmed: “Pit-exit overtaking is prohibited unless the car has slowed due to obvious problems.”

The three-time world champion was keen to get back on track and put in a few laps after skipping the first free practice session that morning. Before the end of the season, Red Bull did not field new drivers for any car. This meant that Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez were present for the first session. In Verstappen’s car that morning was Formula E world champion Jake Dennis. The 28-year-old has been a trainer for Red Bull for five years, but this was his first Grand Prix weekend. Pérez was replaced in the morning by French teenager Isaac Hajjar. He made his F1 debut in the first free practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix earlier this season. The 19-year-old was highly rated by Helmut Marko and is currently preparing for his second Formula 2 campaign.