Max Verstappen called upon fans at the Dutch Grand Prix to behave better after qualifying was disrupted by two separate incidents of flares being thrown onto the track.
Orange flares have become a common sight at Formula 1 race tracks in recent times, especially at European events. But amid concerns over visibility and safety, organisers have clamped down on them.
Messages displayed at the entrances to the facility at Zandvoort this weekend told fans that flares are banned and asked them to hand in any they had brought with them. But it seems there were some who did not heed those warnings as dozens were spotted being set off in the stands.
It became particularly disruptive when they were thrown on track during qualifying. The second, fortunately, bounced over the pit lane in Q3 and there was no need to stop the session, but that was after the start of Q2 had been pushed back due to one that landed right in the middle of the track.
Alex Albon was already on track and had to abort his first run when the red flags came out. A marshal ran onto the track to dispose of the flare, while the FIA confirmed the spectator who had thrown it was identified and ejected from the venue by security officials.
Asked for his response, home favourite Verstappen took the opportunity to plead with fans to use their common sense. "It’s just very silly to do – to hold flares already, it's nice, but there's a limit to how much. To throw it on the track is just stupid," he said.
"Just don't do that – it's not good for anyone. You get thrown out, you can't see the race, and for us the session is stopped because it is dangerous, there's stuff on the track, so you shouldn't do it."
Verstappen was backed up by his Ferrari rivals, as Charles Leclerc concurred: "It's dangerous, so don't do this type of thing. If a car is passing at that time it can create unnecessary risks."
And Carlos Sainz added: "I think it's important to let the fans know when it is possible to use the flares and when it is not. I think it was good that they used them on the in-lap when Max took pole but not in the middle of the race or Lap 1 when we are in the middle of fights. At 300kph, you don't want this kind of distraction from smoke.
"Hopefully the organisation can do a good job in warning when it's time is good to use them and when it's not. It's important not to throw it on track."
