Breaking:Red Bull reaches final verdict on Max Verstappen penalty appeal as … Read more
Red Bull Racing has officially decided not to pursue a right of review regarding the five-second time penalty handed to Max Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, putting an end to speculation about a potential appeal. The penalty, which was issued after the opening lap of the race in Jeddah, stemmed from an incident in which Verstappen left the track while defending his position against McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
The situation unfolded immediately after lights out, with Verstappen having secured pole position. As the field charged into the first corner, Piastri managed to get alongside Verstappen on the inside line. In an attempt to maintain his lead, Verstappen ran off the track, cutting across the painted run-off area before rejoining ahead of Piastri. Race stewards ruled that he had gained a lasting advantage by doing so and subsequently penalized him with a five-second time penalty.
The decision was met with frustration from Verstappen, who sarcastically responded with “f***ing lovely” over the team radio upon being informed of the penalty by his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. Despite this setback, Verstappen continued to push throughout the race and ultimately finished in second place, with Piastri taking the win.
After the race, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner appeared in the media zone with photographic evidence that he claimed supported Verstappen’s case. According to Horner, the visuals showed that Verstappen had not gained a meaningful advantage from the off-track excursion, and that a penalty was therefore unnecessary.
Nevertheless, Red Bull has since confirmed to PlanetF1.com that they will not be moving forward with a request for a review of the decision. The team has chosen to accept the ruling made by the stewards, effectively ending any ongoing debate about the incident.
The choice not to appeal may come as a surprise to some, particularly given Red Bull’s vocal dissatisfaction immediately following the race. However, the team may have concluded that the likelihood of overturning the penalty was slim or that the incident, though frustrating, did not warrant a prolonged dispute with the FIA.
This decision also reflects a level of pragmatism from Red Bull, who still walked away from Jeddah with valuable points. With Verstappen securing second place despite the penalty, the team remains in a strong position in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
While the incident remains a talking point in the paddock, it now appears that the matter is closed from Red Bull’s perspective. The focus for the reigning champions will now shift to the upcoming rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season, as they continue their push for further success with Verstappen leading their charge.
