Max Verstappen narrowly avoids collision in Italian GP pit lane

During the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix, an incident occurred involving Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in the pit lane. As Verstappen exited his garage, Piastri also pulled out, leading to a near collision. Verstappen had to take evasive action to avoid contact, expressing his frustration over the radio, stating, "F***, we almost crashed!" The incident raised concerns regarding the new regulations that prohibit cars from crossing the white line into the pit lane if it could impede another vehicle. The Formula 1 stewards are currently investigating the situation, as the McLaren team appeared to have released Piastri without ensuring the pit lane was clear. The mechanic's oversight in guiding Piastri out could result in penalties for the team, although Piastri himself is not at risk of a grid penalty due to guidelines that suggest fines for unsafe releases during qualifying. Despite the close call, Verstappen managed to avoid any damage and successfully progressed to Q2. His team informed him that he was safe from being knocked out of the session, allowing him to slow down at the end of his final flying lap. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges teams face in adhering to safety regulations during high-pressure qualifying sessions. The qualifying session also saw other drivers struggling, with Franco Colapinto finishing 18th and both Sauber cars in the bottom positions. The competitive nature of the session suggested a fierce battle for pole position, with multiple teams vying for top spots, including Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes, against the backdrop of the iconic Monza circuit.