Verstappen did not see penalty coming: 'Was surprised, but the stewards decide'

The Russian Grand Prix is just around the corner and a new episode in the battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is set to unfold. The rivals both left Italy with zero points and will need to find another way to trounce each other. Verstappen looks ahead to the weekend in Sochi, where Mercedes are historically the odds-on favourite.

Verstappen said he was already on his way home when he received the news about his punishment. "I was already on my way to the airport," he said in the press conference in Sochi to, among others Formel1.de.

He admits he didn't see the grid penalty coming, but accepts it. "I was surprised, but in the end the stewards decide. I don't have to agree with the penalty, I have my own opinion about it. In the end you have to live with it."