A peculiar incident involving reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team sent ripples through the paddock during the Hungarian Grand Prix practice session, culminating in an official warning from the sport’s governing body. The FIA stewards were compelled to intervene after an unusual occurrence on track, raising questions about driver conduct and safety protocols.

The genesis of the inquiry stemmed from an observation during Free Practice 2, where Verstappen was seen discarding a towel from his cockpit onto the active circuit. This seemingly innocuous act prompted concerns from officials regarding the potential for the object to create an unsafe environment for both the driver and other competitors on track.

This event echoed a similar scenario earlier in the season at the Miami Grand Prix, where tools and an LED torch were found within a competitor’s cockpit. While that previous incident involved a different set of circumstances and led to a reprieve for the drivers involved, the principle of foreign objects on track remained a point of regulatory scrutiny for the stewards.

Following a comprehensive review of video evidence and testimonies from Verstappen himself and a Red Bull team representative, the stewards concluded their investigation. Their decision resulted in a warning being issued to both the Dutchman and his team, a lighter consequence than a formal penalty, allowing them to proceed without further sanctions impacting their race weekend.

The official statement from the FIA stewards clarified their rationale, emphasizing that while the towel itself might seem harmless, its presence on the track after being ejected from the vehicle could indeed pose a risk. Specifically, they noted the potential for the fabric to become lodged within the footwell of the car, thereby impeding the driver’s full control—a clear breach of safety release protocols.

However, the stewards also provided crucial differentiation, stating that this case was distinguishable and less severe than situations involving hard or potentially dangerous objects left within the cockpit. This nuance in their judgment was key to the imposition of a warning rather than a more punitive measure, underscoring a proportionate response to the specific nature of the item involved.

Addressing the matter himself, Max Verstappen offered his perspective, explaining that the item in question was merely a towel used for wiping his face, inadvertently remaining in the car as he exited the garage. He asserted his attempt to remove the article as safely as possible, providing insight into the driver’s immediate actions during the unusual moment.

The resolution of this ‘towel incident’ ensures that focus can now squarely return to the high-stakes competition of the Hungarian Grand Prix, with both team and driver looking to put the peculiar episode behind them as they vie for championship points in a tightly contested Formula 1 season.