Max Verstappen reprimanded after causing a collision in GT3 practice at Portimão

[BryanDanielson_Belt]

Max Verstappen has been reprimanded after causing a collision during GT3 practice at Portimão. PlanetF1 reports that GT World Challenge stewards gave him a reprimand and one behavioural warning point after he hit the number 25 Audi at Turn 3 in Friday morning's first practice session

Verstappen tried a pass on the inside as the door closed, and the Audi spun. Onboard footage showed him raising a hand in frustration. The stewards ruled that his car, the number 3 Mercedes, caused an avoidable collision and was wholly to blame

There were some mitigating factors. The stewards took into account that it was the first lap of the first practice session, and that a queue of cars affected the Audi's line. That helped Verstappen avoid a grid penalty. The Audi driver called it an unfortunate racing incident and said he had not seen Verstappen's car on his right

Verstappen and his team mates Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham were 20th in the session. It is his first GT3 outing since the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May, where his crew led with four hours left before a driveshaft problem ended their hopes

Verstappen's love of racing outside Formula 1 is great to see, and it shows how much he simply enjoys driving. Practice incidents happen, and a reprimand seems a fair outcome. Hopefully the rest of his weekend goes more smoothly

Should F1 drivers race in other series during the season? And was a reprimand the right decision?

Max Verstappen punishment confirmed after Portimao GT3 investigationwww.planetf1.com