FIA explains decision: 'That is why Verstappen was penalised'

"As per the event notes and following a review of what happened in Friday in particular, Turn 14 was being used far more… it wasn’t an issue in 2020 but became one in 2021,” Masi is quoted by Motorsportweek.com. The race director then gave all drivers freedom from Saturday morning to use the red and white kerb in the same way as in Turn 5.

And what exactly does that mean? "They were told if they gained a lasting advantage out of reach of those [kerbs], being overtaking a car, faster in a mini-sector, whatever it may have been, that it will be looked at," he explains further.

In Verstappen's case, he was well ahead of the rest of the field in the relevant mini-sector. “And having looked at it post-race it was very clear Max was off-track and faster in that mini-sector than anyone and set the fastest lap of the race which is a world championship point," Masi argues that there was nothing he could do but deny Verstappen the World Championship point.