Verstappen Escapes Punishment for Middle Finger Gesture During Testing

Four-time Formula 1 champion and driver for the Austrian team Red Bull, Max Verstappen, will not face any penalties for showing his middle finger to someone from the Williams team during the preseason tests in Bahrain.

According to Racingnews365, the reason for this is that the winter tests do not have FIA stewards present, meaning that the new rules do not apply in this context. Similarly, George Russell was not penalized for using the word «shit» on Wednesday.

It’s worth noting that by the end of the third day of preseason testing in Bahrain, the Dutch driver achieved the second fastest time, while the top spot was claimed by Mercedes driver George Russell.