Stroll and Verstappen avoid punishment for 'misunderstanding' in F1 practice

Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen have been cleared over their clash during second practice for Formula 1’s Portuguese Grand Prix.

The stewards at Portimao, which include ex-F1 driver Vitaly Petrov, deemed that no driver was “wholly or predominantly at fault” after summoning both drivers following the incident that caused a late red flag period in FP2.

Verstappen and Stroll came together at Turn 1 as Verstappen took the inside line of the corner having gained from a tow along the pit straight.

Both drivers were on a push lap and Stroll appeared unsighted as he turned into the corner taking the usual racing line, resulting in his Racing Point being punted off into the gravel.

According to the stewards, both drivers agreed that the collision was the result of a misunderstanding between them and that “with hindsight, both could have contributed to avoid the incident”.

“Stroll was on a fast lap and was allowed to pass by Verstappen on the lap preceding the incident,” the stewards said in a statement.

“Given the information from his team and usual practice, Verstappen assumed that Stroll would back off for the next lap and moved to overtake along the main straight.

“However Stroll was instructed by his team to go for a second flying lap.

“Stroll assumed that Verstappen would have backed off to gain a gap between them, also in line with usual practice, and so was not looking for the overtaking Verstappen.

“The drivers agreed in the hearing that the incident was the result of a misunderstanding between them and that with hindsight, both could have contributed to avoid the incident.

“The stewards therefore find that neither driver was wholly or predominantly at fault and take no further action.”