Max Verstappen avoids Mexican GP penalty for Bottas incident

Bottas came up on a slowing Verstappen on approach to the Turn 13 left-hander on his first flying lap in the final qualifying segment, and locked up after avoiding the Red Bull.

He failed to complete the lap and subsequently suggested Verstappen should be penalised because he "wrecked" his lap.

However, after the stewards investigated the incident and heard from the Dutchman himself, they decided against taking any further action.

Their statement read: "The stewards examined multiple angles of video evidence and radio calls to car 33, and heard from Max Verstappen, the driver of car 33, Valtteri Bottas, the driver of car 77 and the team representatives.

"The driver of car 33 was clearly aware from the team radio and using his mirrors that car 77 was approaching on a hot lap.

"He moved from the racing line on the exit of turn 12 to avoid impeding car 77.

"The driver of car 33 did move slowly from the racing line which could have affected car 77, but the stewards do not consider this as impeding."

Verstappen therefore retains second place on the Mexican GP grid, having narrowly lost pole to Sebastian Vettel in the dying seconds of qualifying, while Bottas will start fourth.