Max Verstappen said George Russell acted fairly in securing pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix under yellow flag conditions. The Red Bull driver added that the situation should never have arisen.
Verstappen spoke at Silverstone after crashing in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring last weekend. His incident triggered yellow flags that allowed Russell to complete his lap and claim pole before winning the race.
The four-time world champion noted that Russell lifted off appropriately under what stewards ruled a single yellow. Verstappen stated he likely would have done the same but believes the flag should have been double waved or triggered a red flag.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz proposed penalising any driver who causes a yellow or red flag in qualifying. Verstappen agreed a harsher penalty should apply if the action is deliberate.
Kimi Antonelli, Russell's Mercedes teammate, aborted his lap after interpreting the flags as double waved and qualified fourth.
