Verstappen on Saudi Penalty
Max Verstappen has chosen to remain reserved in his reaction to the penalty he received during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which many believe cost him a potential victory.
Verstappen Holds Back After Controversial Saudi Grand Prix
The five-second time penalty was issued after Verstappen left the track at Turn 1 at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix while battling McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and retained the lead by cutting the chicane. Although the stewards acknowledged it was the first lap and reduced the standard penalty from ten to five seconds, the decision still proved critical to the race’s outcome.
FIA’s New Rules Leave Drivers Walking on Eggshells
In recent months, Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has introduced stricter regulations limiting what drivers can say publicly. Verstappen alluded to this in his post-race comments, explaining that he avoided speaking openly about the Saudi penalty out of concern for possible repercussions.
“You can’t say too much these days. People can’t handle the full truth,” he said. “It’s better not to say too much because it could get twisted or taken the wrong way.” The updated FIA code forbids any statements that could be seen as harmful to the organization’s image or reputation, and penalties can include fines, point deductions, or even bans.
Red Bull and McLaren Disagree on the Incident
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, criticized the decision, calling it “very harsh” and questioned the apparent abandonment of the long-standing “let them race” philosophy on opening laps. However, McLaren stood firm in support of the penalty. Oscar Piastri and team boss Andrea Stella both argued the move was against the rules, citing Piastri’s proper positioning and clean driving through the corner.
Piastri, who claimed the lead after Verstappen served his penalty, said, “I knew I had enough of my car alongside to take the corner. We both braked late, but I stayed within the track limits.”
Verstappen Praises Piastri Despite Losing Ground
Despite his frustration with the Saudi penalty, Verstappen had nothing but praise for Piastri’s performance. The young McLaren driver’s victory in Jeddah marked his third in just five races, launching him into the championship lead.
“He’s very solid, very calm in his approach. Barely makes mistakes, and that’s what you need when you want to fight for a championship,” Verstappen said. He also acknowledged the guidance of Piastri’s manager, former F1 driver Mark Webber, as a key factor in the Australian’s rapid rise.
Championship Tightens as Verstappen Falls Behind
Verstappen’s penalty and Piastri’s composed drive reshuffled the top of the championship standings. Piastri now leads, with his teammate Lando Norris in second and Verstappen slipping to third. While the Dutchman showed strong pace throughout the Saudi race, the penalty and cautious approach in the media spotlight have added another layer of complexity to an already tense title battle.
As the season progresses, Verstappen’s decision to stay silent on the Saudi penalty may reflect a larger trend among drivers—navigating not just the on-track battles, but also the growing weight of what they say off it.
