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• Tue Apr 22 2025

Will Max Verstappen modify his driving as a result of the decision to give him a five-second penalty in Saudi Arabia? - Kate

Max Verstappen was given a five-second penalty in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix because the stewards adjudged him to have gained an advantage by leaving the track while contesting the lead with McLaren's Oscar Piastri at the first corner.

The stewards pointed to the driving standards guidelines in making their decision, reporting that "Car 81 (Piastri) had its front axle at least alongside the mirror of Car One (Verstappen) prior to and at the apex of corner one when trying to overtake Car One on the inside.

"In fact, Car 81 was alongside Car One at the apex. Based on the drivers' standards guidelines, it was therefore Car 81's corner and he was entitled to be given room."

Verstappen chose not to give his opinion of the incident or the decision after the race, pointing to the risk he would be censured by governing body the FIA.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the penalty was "very harsh" because "Max can't just disappear".

The guidelines don't dictate what a driver in his situation should do, but taking the lead back by going off track is not an option.

But Verstappen races hard, and pushes the limit of the rules. In critical situations such as this, he will do everything he can to keep position, and then force the stewards to make a decision.

This is understandable on two levels: first, the advantage of being in front and running in clean air is significant, as the race subsequently showed, and if he ends up being allowed to keep the position, it can win him the race; second, in the past, the stewards have often chosen not to punish him.

However, the guidelines have changed this year, after significant pressure from the other drivers, exactly because of the way Verstappen races.

This was the first time the new rules have been tested with Verstappen, and this time his approach did not work. But he has had a lifetime of racing this way, so it would be quite a switch for him to change his approach.

Having said that, he is smart as well as tough. It would be a surprise if he did not learn from this incident in some ways for next time.

From Piastri's side, he has now laid down a marker to Verstappen. He is a decisive, clinical racer who is not to be intimidated.