Verstappen criticizes penalty after Saudi Arabian GP, declines to share opinions
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen opted for silence on the controversial penalty that cost him victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, citing potential sanctions if he spoke out and remarking, "People can't handle the truth."
Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for cutting inside Turn 2 during a battle with eventual winner Oscar Piastri on the opening lap. The ruling allowed Piastri to gain the lead during pit stops, and Verstappen eventually finished in second despite keeping pace with the McLaren driver.
According to race stewards, Piastri was entitled to the corner as the inside driver who was alongside Verstappen at the apex. Under FIA driving guidelines, Verstappen was required to leave room at the exit—a requirement he seemingly failed to meet.
When asked about the move, Verstappen declined to provide his view, citing concerns about further penalties under new misconduct rules introduced this season.
"The problem is I cannot share my opinion because I might get penalized," Verstappen said after the race. "It’s better not to speak about it."
He referenced increased sensitivity around criticism, new FIA regulations, and the backlash often seen on social media as reasons for his reluctance to talk openly. "It's just the world we live in. You can't share fully your opinion. People can't handle the full truth," he added. "Honestly, less talking is better for me."
Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner strongly opposed the penalty, bringing an onboard camera still image from Verstappen’s car to support his argument. According to Horner, the image showed Piastri’s front wheel only level with Verstappen’s rear-view mirror, suggesting Verstappen had limited options.
"When you look at that, I can't understand how they reached that conclusion," Horner said. "Oscar's run deep into the corner; Max can't just disappear. Perhaps these rules need revising."
Horner contended that Red Bull saw no reason to instruct Verstappen to surrender the position to Piastri after Turn 2. "We didn’t believe he’d done anything wrong," Horner said. "Max was clearly ahead at the apex, and it felt like a very harsh decision."
Though the penalty cost Verstappen a chance at victory, Horner noted the team's competitive pace compared to McLaren and lamented the marginal nature of such rulings. "Without the penalty today, it would have been a win," he said.
Despite the controversy, Verstappen and Red Bull remained measured in their comments, opting to focus on upcoming races rather than dwell on the decision.
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