Sky F1 pundit explains why stewards “did a good job” in handing Verstappen a tough penalty

17:59, 05 Jun

byTobia Elia

Karun Chandhok has defended the stewards' decision to hand Max Verstappen a 10-second time penalty and 3 penalty points on his licence following the late-race clash with George Russell during the closing stages of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Several days have passed, yet the incident between Max Verstappen and George Russell in the closing stages of the Spanish Grand Prix remains a hot topic among fans and paddock insiders alike.

Some well-known figures, such as Nico Rosberg, have harshly criticised the Dutch driver's conduct, even going as far as to say that the move deserved a black flag and a subsequent disqualification, as it was considered far too dangerous.

Karun Chandhok, too, speaking about the controversial incident on the Sky F1 Show alongside David Croft, defended the stewards' decision: ''If I think that 10 seconds was enough? I do. I think there's a case to discuss and debate the black flag, but I think if I look at, you know, what happened, the speed it happened, where it happened, how it happened, and the consequences, which I know the stewards say, we don't look at the consequences, but really they do. You I think you have to. George carried on, did he? And I thought it was right''.

Stewards took the right decision

''I agree with Crofty - went on to add the F1 pundit and former F1 driver - I think the stewards did a good job. I also think the stewards did a good job of saying it would have been no further action''.

''You know, they clarified that it would have been no further action for the turn one thing, saying that Max was in the right, but not wanting to give up the place and the team were wrong''.

''I thought 10 seconds was fine. You know, it's, it's one of these things which you, you have to look at how it's going to impact him. And in the end, the black flag would have what cost him another point''.

''So I think actually Crofty's point about the three penalty points is actually more important because the one point of the championship is, you know, okay, it's not, it's not a big deal. So I think, I think it was right. What, um, what was awarded to him''.