Bottas, Sainz under investigation over F1 yellow flag infringements

Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz are the latest Formula 1 drivers to be called to the stewards over allegedly not respecting waved yellow flags during Qatar Grand Prix qualifying.

Lewis Larkam

20 Nov 2021

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 in qualifying parc ferme.
© FIA Pool Image for Editorial Use

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is also facing an investigation following qualifying at the Losail International Circuit.

Yellow flags were waved at the end of Q3 for a slowing Pierre Gasly after the AlphaTauri driver suffered front wing damage and a puncture after running wide at Turn 15 on his final lap of qualifying.

Sainz will visit the stewards ahead of Sunday’s inaugural race at 1.30pm local time (10.30am GMT), 30 minutes after Verstappen’s own hearing.

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari SF-21.
© xpbimages.com

Bottas will then head to the stewards' office at 1.45pm, just over three hours before the start of the race.

While Verstappen has been summoned for allegedly failing to respect double waved yellows, Sainz and Bottas' alleged offences relate to a single waved yellow flag.

Bottas qualified third on the grid behind Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen, while Sainz was seventh fastest.