F1 TV analyst Alex Brundle dismissed the drive‑through penalty issued to 19‑year‑old Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad at the Dutch Grand Prix as “harsh”, after the incident at Turn 14 on the opening lap at Zandvoort.
Penalty ruled for yellow‑flag infringement
After Max Verstappen crashed at Turn 14, the stewards classified Lindblad’s passage of Pierre Gasly into Turn 1 as a yellow‑flag breach. The reprimand carried a costly drive‑through, effectively ending the rookie’s race.
Brundle defends drivers in evasive situations
Brundle argued that a driver coming around a crash should be allowed to take evasive action without the added burden of a secondary overtake. He said, “If you’re avoiding the incident you shouldn’t be penalised for passing another car while dodging debris.”
Lindblad’s own account of the crash
The 19‑year‑old stated he could not see the flags and was focused on staying out of contact with Verstappen’s wreckage. He notes, “I almost hit a tyre, then tried to keep my line. The penalty feels extreme but it is what it is.”
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