Max Verstappen faced a controversial penalty at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which Oscar Piastri capitalised on. Piastri won the race and took the lead in the F1 Drivers’ Championship for the first time in his career. The McLaren driver’s triumph was closely tied to a pivotal incident and penalty involving Max Verstappen during the early stages of the race.
The race’s defining moment came at the very first corner. Max Verstappen, who started from the pole position, was challenged immediately by Oscar Piastri. As they approached Turn 1, Piastri positioned himself on the inside line, gaining advantage and edging ahead of Verstappen. Even though Verstappen managed to pass Piastri on Turn 2, the move forced him off the track. To avoid collision, he cut the corner, leaving the track limits and gaining an unfair advantage in the process.
How Max Verstappen Got His Penalty
Race stewards reviewed the incident and issued Max Verstappen a five-second time penalty for leaving the track to get that unfair advantage. The decision was widely supported by the race footage and expert analysis, however, Red Bull was not satisfied with it. The penalty proved decisive as Veratappen served the five-second penalty during his only pit stop, which allowed Piastri to take the lead on track and eventually win the race. Despite his strong pace and efforts to close the gap, he ended up in the second position.
The win marked Oscar Piastri’s third of the season and fifth career victory. He surpassed Lando Norris in the F1 Drivers’ Championship and sits at the top with 99 points, marking his first lead in the standings in his whole career.
This incident has become highly controversial as McLaren’s CEO came out in favour of the decision, while Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner offered contrasting insights on the penalty. Now, Max Verstappen’s chance at redemption will be at the Miami Grand Prix, where Oscar Piastri will also look to extend his winning streak, while Lando Norris plans to take back his lead in the F1 Drivers’ Championship Standings.
Also Read: Oscar Piastri Takes Overall Lead After 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Win
