Verstappen avoids penalty for alleged Bottas block in Mexico

Max Verstappen has avoided a penalty for allegedly blocking Valtteri Bottas during the final stage of Formula 1 qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix on Saturday, with the stewards taking no further action.

Verstappen opted to back off in order to warm his tyres up for a second flying lap early in Q3 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, only for Bottas - still only a flying lap - to come across the Dutchman entering the stadium section.

While Verstappen moved his car to the left-hand side of the circuit to try and move off the racing line, Bottas felt he was impeded as he came across the Red Bull on-track, causing him to lock up at the next corner due to turbulent air.

The stewards swiftly confirmed they would be investigating Verstappen over the incident, although the Dutchman made his feelings clear after the session saying: "There is no incident".

After meeting with the stewards soon after qualifying, Verstappen was cleared of blocking Bottas in a decision announced by the FIA not long after the Dutchman had met with race officials.

"The driver of Car 33 was clearly aware from the team radio and using his mirrors that Car 77 was approaching on a hot lap," the stewards' decision statement reads.

"He moved from the racing line on the exit of Turn 12 to avoid impeding Car 77. The driver of Car 33 did move slowly from the racing line which could have affected Car 77, but the stewards do not consider this as impeding."

As a result, Verstappen will line up second on the grid as planned on Sunday, with Bottas taking P4 for the start for Mercedes.