Red Bul reprimanded for programming error on Verstappen's car

Red Bull has been given a reprimand over Max Verstappen exceeding the maximum delta time in sprint qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix.

While attention was given to Verstappen's run-in with Lance Stroll during SQ1 with Stroll calling it "dangerous" over the team radio, Verstappen was summoned for a different incident in SQ2.

Verstappen was summoned to the Formula 1 stewards after qualifying for allegedly driving too slowly, as a result of falling above the maximum delta time.

Article 33.4 of F1's sporting regulations says “at no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person”. 

The stewards found Verstappen was six seconds above the required minimum time between the safety car lines, but complied with the requirement in all other laps.

Telemetry showed the stewards that Verstappen was driving "with a constant speed throughout the lap" but even without any other cars around him, he was managing the delta at approximately six seconds above the required number.

Red Bull told the stewards this was due to "false programming in the car" that meant the delta time on the steering wheel had an offset of six seconds.

Verstappen drove to that delta time so ended up six seconds above the actual figure.

Red Bull identified the problem by the end of the first cooldown lap and then told Verstappen to manage his delta time so he'd be six seconds below the figure on the wheel.

The stewards found the telemetry backed that up and found Verstappen didn't drive "unnecessarily slowly" based on the information he had in the car.

Therefore, the onus falls on the team for its programming error, and it's given a reprimand.

The stewards noted that the punishment could have been more severe under different circumstances.

Verstappen progressed through SQ1 with ease and later qualified fourth in SQ3.