Mekies defends Verstappen over Hamilton pass in Singapore

Laurent Mekies defended Max Verstappen's pass of Lewis Hamilton in Singapore sprint qualifying, arguing that their difference in speed made it “virtually impossible” for his driver to brake in time to stay behind the Ferrari. The stewards later decided against a penalty, RacingNews365 reported.

Sergio Perez had crashed his Cadillac at Turn 5, triggering yellow flags; the crash left debris on the Marina Bay Street Circuit and eventually led to a red flag. Verstappen was summoned after the session to explain the SQ1 pass between Turns 7 and 8, described by RacingNews365 as an overtake under yellow.

Verstappen, however, was understood to have told his team over the radio that he had passed Hamilton before entering the yellow-flag zone, RacingNews365 reported. He was also reported to have then let Hamilton back ahead to avoid a breach.

Speaking to F1TV after the session, the Red Bull team principal said he had not yet watched the footage back and was describing what he had seen live. He estimated that Hamilton was travelling at around 50 km/h on a cooldown lap.

Mekies also questioned whether stopping behind Hamilton would have been safe. He said Verstappen had lifted substantially, estimated the lap-time loss at more than a second and described that as a large reduction for a single yellow flag.

Verstappen had finished first in qualifying for Saturday's sprint, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.