In a dramatic twist at the Baku Grand Prix qualifying round, Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time Formula 1 World Champion, was disqualified, sending shockwaves through the F1 community. While Verstappen’s presence at the front of the grid has become almost routine, this unexpected event marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 season.
The Incident
Initally, Verstappen secured a sixth-place finish during the qualifying round, continuing his somewhat subdued performances in recent races. However, following the session, stewards flagged an issue with his Red Bull car, leading to his disqualification. While the exact reasons for the disqualification remain unconfirmed, early reports suggest a technical infraction involving the car’s fuel system.
Fuel flow regulations in Formula 1 are stringent, with teams required to maintain a precise limit on the fuel mass flow during timed laps. Any breach, no matter how small, can result in serious penalties, including disqualification. This appears to have been the case with Verstappen’s car, echoing a similar incident that befell Alpine’s Pierre Gasly during the same session
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