Just before the second restart of the Baku Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was seen pulling alongside George Russell at Turn 16. Running side-by-side with another car during a Safety Car period has been banned since the rule was introduced following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix incident between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The FIA investigated the moment but closed the case with no further action, and Verstappen went on to chase Russell home just 0.196 seconds behind for second place.
Why it was investigated
Running alongside the car ahead before a Safety Car has left the track is against the rules, a regulation introduced after Verstappen and Hamilton ran side-by-side just before the restart at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In Baku, Verstappen was again seen pulling level with Russell just before the second restart, prompting the stewards to open an investigation.
The FIA's verdict and the race that followed
After reviewing the incident, the FIA decided no further action was necessary and closed the case without a penalty. Verstappen continued the race and kept the pressure on Russell all the way from the restart to the final lap, but he could not fully close the gap, eventually finishing second, just 0.196 seconds behind.
Other investigations from the same round
Verstappen was not the only driver summoned in Baku. Carlos Sainz and Isack Hadjar were both given warnings for failing to follow the race director's instructions during the reconnaissance laps to the grid. Stewards also declined to penalise Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad after he collided with teammate Liam Lawson, making this one of the most contested rounds of the season for stewarding decisions.