F1 News: FIA Could Investigate Sergio Perez's Monaco GP Qualifying Crash
Since the Max Verstappen drama that stemmed from the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend, the FIA have said that they would investigate the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying session if a formal complaint is made.
This is all come about after Verstappen refused to follow team orders when they asked him to let teammate Sergio Perez past on the last lap of the race. Verstappen had been told earlier in the race to go past Perez in an attempt to take some points away from Alpine's Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc under the proviso that he would give the place back before the end of the race as Perez is still fighting for second place in the driver's championship.
Verstappen said over the team radio that they knew his reasons and to not ask him again. Since that comment many people have been speculating that he was referring to the qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix when Perez crashed whilst he was ahead of Verstappen meaning that he qualified higher, and he then went on to win the race. The opinion of a lot of fans is that Perez crashed on purpose to put himself in a better position than his teammate.
The FIA have said that if a formal complaint is made then they will happily look into the incident, however no complaint has been made yet.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has spoken to the press about the situation:
"I didn't have anyone who said we want to investigate it from our side.
"But if there is something to be investigated, we are more than happy. One thing truly I would say, I'm not shy or afraid of conducting or going into it if there is an issue. I will not hide.
"I will be even raising my hand and saying [if] there is an issue with the FIA. Otherwise, if I cannot do this, you will never improve and never evolve. That I can guarantee."
If the incident was investigated and found to be deliberate, it would breach the rules of Article 37.5 of the regulations, which states:
"Any driver taking part in any practice session who, in the opinion of the stewards, stops unnecessarily on the circuit or unnecessarily impedes another driver shall be subject to the penalties referred to in Article 37.4."
On top of this, it could be seen as unsportsmanlike to crash on purpose in order to have a red flag. According to Article 12.2.1.c of the sporting code "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any Competition or to the interests of motor sport generally."