MONZA, Italy -- Max Verstappen feels he was unfairly punished for a late clash with Valtteri Bottas at the Italian Grand Prix.
Verstappen was defending third place from Bottas in the closing stages when the Mercedes drivers made a run at him down the inside of Turn 1. As Bottas got alongside the Red Bull driver, Verstappen appeared to move over and clip the side of Bottas' car.
The contact forced Bottas across the run-off area at the first corner but prompted the stewards to give Verstappen a five-second time penalty. That meant he was relegated behind Bottas and Sebastian Vettel after taking the chequered flag, despite finishing ahead of both on the road.