Why Verstappen did not get grid penalty from stewards in Japan

At Red Bull Racing, they all immediately agreed: a grid penalty for Max Verstappen would have been far too severe for the offence in qualifying in Japan where Lando Norris had to swerve. Lando Norris would have felt such a penalty was justified. The stewards eventually dismissed it with a reprimand and this is why.

The stewards questioned Verstappen and Norris, plus the team representatives. In addition, they looked at some videos and timing data. Based on these, they came to a conclusion.

Stewards explain rebuke to Verstappen

From a statement, "the driver of car 1 [Verstappen] was aware of car 55 [Carlos Sainz] in front of him and car 4 [Norris] approaching from behind. Verstappen decided to accelerate just as Norris was overtaking. Unfortunately, due to a too-low tyre temperature, Verstappen temporarily lost control of the car, causing him to come off his line."

"The driver of car 4 stated that this was simply an unfortunate incident, but that it is always the responsibility of the driver to maintain control of his car at all times," said the stewards, who did not consider a grid penalty necessary. "As for the penalty, all previous offences of this nature have resulted in a reprimand. hence a similar penalty is being imposed in this case."