FIA race director Michael Masi says his discussions with Red Bull over a potential penalty for Max Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were “very normal” but delayed by safety concerns. Verstappen retained the lead at the first restart of the race by going off track at Turn 1, with the way he rejoined slowing Lewis Hamilton and allowing Esteban Ocon through to second place. A crash soon after brought out the red flag again and during that stoppage, Masi offered Red Bull the choice of dropping behind Hamilton on the grid for the race restart or potentially being investigated by the stewards, but the manner and timing of his messages drew criticism. “I wouldn’t call it a...
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