The commissioners of the GT World Challenge Europe have issued their official verdict on the collision between Max Verstappen and Ezequiel Pérez Companc during the first free practice session at Portimao. Verstappen received an official reprimand and a Behavioral Warning Point for causing an accident at turn 3, thus violating Article 27.4 of the Sporting Regulations of the GT World Challenge Europe and Article 12.2.1.j of the FIA International Sporting Code.
Following an exhaustive hearing session with both drivers and reviewing the visual evidence, the commissioners, consisting of Luis Roby, Yves Bacquelaine, Wim Cools, and Mario Manso, justified their decision. The official document states that Verstappen was fully responsible for the contact, but several mitigating factors justified the absence of a harsher penalty.
The commissioners highlighted that the incident occurred on the first lap of the practice session and that the formation of vehicles in front of Car #25 affected its line. “After thoroughly considering the case, we determined that Car #3 caused a collision avoiding with Car #25 at turn 3,” the commissioners explain. “However, the specific situation at the moment, along with the congestion of vehicles, led us to impose only the previously mentioned penalty.”
The grid will be defined during the qualifying scheduled for Friday at 5:30 PM (local time).
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
