JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday turned on a first-corner incident between Oscar Piastri, who ultimately won the race, and Max Verstappen, who started from pole position. The outcome ultimately depended on a decision by the stewards, not the on-track action itself, and inevitably the verdict divided opinions between the two drivers and their teams.
Most of the footage seemed to support the decision to penalize Verstappen, but Red Bull continued to argue their case — at least in the media — late into the night. However, one voice was absent in the post-race debate, as Verstappen chose to remain silent for fear of repercussions from the governing body.
What happened?
Piastri made a better start off the line, allowing him to move alongside Verstappen, positioning his McLaren on the inside for Turn 1. Footage from both on-board and trackside cameras showed Piastri ahead of Verstappen as they approached the corner. However, as they reached the apex, Verstappen drew level and then moved back past on the outside as they approached Turn 2.
Carrying extra speed on the outside of the corner meant Verstappen was unlikely to stay on the track. This became irrelevant when both cars turned right for Turn 2. Piastri`s presence on Verstappen`s left meant Verstappen had no choice but to cut the corner to avoid a collision.
Verstappen rejoined the track ahead of Piastri at the exit of Turn 2. Shortly after, a collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly resulted in a safety car. Once deployed, the race was neutralized with Verstappen leading Piastri.
Piastri clearly felt wronged and expressed this over team radio.
`He needs to give that position back,` he said. `I was ahead. He was never going to make that corner whether I was there or not.`
Verstappen responded on his radio: `He just forced me off. There was no intention to make that corner.`
Verstappen kept the position when racing resumed, but by lap six, stewards issued a five-second penalty to the Red Bull driver. This effectively gave Piastri the lead, provided he could stay close enough to Verstappen until the first pit stops, when Verstappen would serve the penalty.
What did the stewards say?
In making their decision on the incident, the stewards relied on the Drivers` Standards Guidelines — essentially F1`s racing rules.
These guidelines, not public, became a major topic after controversial incidents at the U.S. and Mexican Grands Prix last year. A meeting between the FIA and drivers at the penultimate round of the 2024 championship in Qatar was intended to clarify the rules.
The Turn 1 incident in Saudi Arabia was a close call, but covered by the guidelines. Because Piastri, as the overtaking driver on the inside, had his front wheels ahead of Verstappen`s mirror at the apex, the corner was considered his. He was not obligated to leave Verstappen racing room on the exit. Therefore, it was Verstappen`s responsibility to either maintain the lead by staying on track, which seemed impossible given the cars` trajectories, or to concede the position, even if later in the lap.
As it happened, Verstappen cut Turn 2 inside to avoid collision, but by not returning the position, he `gained a lasting advantage` according to the stewards.
`The stewards reviewed data, video, timing, telemetry and in-car video evidence and determined that Car 81 [Piastri] had its front axle at least alongside the mirror of Car 1 [Verstappen] prior to and at the apex of Turn 1 when trying to overtake Car 1 on the inside. In fact, Car 81 was alongside Car 1 at the apex,` the stewards` statement read. `Based on the Driver`s Standards Guidelines, it was therefore Car 81`s corner and he was entitled to be given room.
`Car 1 then left the track and gained a lasting advantage that was not given back. He stayed in front of Car 81 and sought to build on the advantage.`
The stewards noted that leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage usually results in a 10-second penalty, but they decided on five seconds because the incident occurred in the first corner melee.
What did the drivers say?
As always, Piastri was matter-of-fact about the incident, saying he braked late but had no complaints about the racing or stewards` decision.
`I knew I had to brake quite late, but I knew I had enough of my car alongside to take the corner,` Piastri said. `We both braked extremely late. I braked as late as I could while staying on track. And I think it was dealt with as it should have been.`
Verstappen, meanwhile, declined to comment, saying silence was better for him.
The reigning champion said his words could be `twisted` on social media, and referenced recent FIA guidelines prohibiting `any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA` under threat of financial penalties and race bans for repeat offenders. Verstappen`s inability to comment on such a crucial moment in the race due to fear of reprisal is unfortunate and might become common this season given the FIA`s strict stance.
`I know I can`t swear here, but you also can`t be critical in any way that might “harm” or “danger”… Let me get the sheet out,` Verstappen said. `There are many lines, you know? So it`s better not to talk about it — you can get in trouble, and nobody wants that.`
Verstappen`s silence left team principal Christian Horner to present Red Bull`s case, which he did at his post-race media session, referencing a printout of an image from Verstappen`s onboard cameras. Because the image was from a lower-mounted camera than the roll-hoop camera, it offered a slightly different perspective than what was broadcast and used by stewards.
The position of the cars relative to the apex in Horner`s image isn`t entirely clear, but Piastri`s front wheel is visible and behind Verstappen`s. However, even with Verstappen ahead in the image, Piastri`s front wheel appears in line with Red Bull`s mirror, a key factor in the penalty, as the stewards pointed out.
For Horner, the image proved Verstappen`s actions should be seen as a racing incident, not a penalty.
`We felt we did nothing wrong,` he said. `First corner, racing incident, two cars going… I don`t know where he [Verstappen] is supposed to go.`
`At this point [in the image], he can`t just vanish. Oscar had a good start, Max an average one, they ended up [close], but per the stewards` rule, the front wheel must be at least in line with the mirror. It`s very, very close.`
He added: `Looking at that image, I don`t see how they reached that conclusion. Both entered at the same speed, Oscar went deep into the corner, Max can`t disappear at this point, so perhaps these rules need review. I thought letting them race on the first lap was abandoned. I thought it was very harsh.`
Despite protests, Horner downplayed seeking a review of the penalty.
`We spoke to stewards after the race. They think it`s a slam dunk,` Horner said. `Protesting would likely just have them hold their line. We asked them to review onboard footage not initially available.`
McLaren`s Andrea Stella agreed it was close but was sure of the penalty`s validity.
`Turn 1 was very close, but this is a business of small margins, and Oscar — with a great launch and positioning inside, slightly higher than Max, staying within track limits — gained the rights [to the corner]. You can`t overtake off track,` he said. `The case is clear and shouldn`t cause debate. I want to emphasize Oscar`s excellent, clean, tough, and precise racing.`
Small margins and big wins
In hindsight, Red Bull might have been better telling Verstappen to return the position to Piastri to avoid penalty, then try to overtake McLaren with superior tire strategy. However, staying ahead in clean air, hoping to build a five-second gap to negate the penalty, was also a valid argument.
`Giving it up means running in dirty air [behind Piastri],` Horner said. `Dropping back risks George [Russell in third]. Best was to get the penalty, get head down, keep going.
`A shame today was our pace versus McLarens and others in the first stint on mediums; we were in good shape. We served the five-second penalty, and on the same stint as Oscar, finished 2.6 seconds behind. Without the penalty, it would have been a win.
`There will always be differing opinions on such marginal decisions.`
The incident decided the race, with Piastri`s third win this season and championship lead, 10 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris and 12 ahead of Verstappen.
| Driver | P | W | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) | 4 | 3 | 99 | |
| 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) | 4 | 1 | 89 | |
| 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | 3 | 1 | 87 | |
| 4. George Russell (Mercedes) | 3 | 0 | 73 | |
| 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 1 | 0 | 47 | |
| P – Podiums, W – Wins, PTS – Points | ||||
