Max Verstappen to Serve Punishment at Marrakesh ePrix

Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen is set to attend Saturday’s Marrakesh E-Prix to serve a ‘public service’ sanction he received following last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

E-racing365 believes that Verstappen will observe his punishment from the FIA by working with the stewards during round two of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

Verstappen, who has five Grand Prix victories to his name, was handed the penalty at Interlagos after a clash with Esteban Ocon, who was attempting to un-lap himself midway through the race.

Verstappen was later filmed pushing and squaring up to Ocon in the FIA weighing area and was given the public service sanction by way of punishment for the indiscretion.

The official FIA bulletin detailing the penalty stated:

“The Stewards understood from Max Verstappen that he was extremely upset by the incident on track during the race and accepted his explanation that it was not his original intent to strike Ocon, but that he was ‘triggered’ and caused him to lose his temper.

“While sympathetic to Verstappen’s passion, the Stewards determined that it is the obligation of sportsmen at this level to act appropriately and as role models to other drivers at all levels and found that Verstappen failed in this respect.”

Verstappen is believed to be arriving in Marrakesh on Friday evening and will report for his public service duty at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan tomorrow morning.

Former F1 racer Vitantonio Liuzzi is the drivers’ steward this weekend and will, along with the other FIA stewards, liaise with Verstappen about his role.

Meanwhile, the Marrakesh ePrix will be contested this Saturday. BMW Andretti’s Antonio Felix da Costa will be eager to win his second race on the trot. However, he will face stiff competition from DS Techeetah’s Jean-Eric Vergne. It will also be the debut race of Pascal Wehrlein for the Mahindra Racing team.