Red Bull Reaches Final Verdict on Max Verstappen Penalty Appeal After Saudi GP Incident
Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that it will not pursue a formal appeal against the five-second time penalty issued to Max Verstappen during the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The penalty, which cost Verstappen a podium finish, was handed out after he ran off the track at Turn 1 during a tense battle with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, rejoining ahead and failing to return the position.
Team Principal Christian Horner initially described the penalty as “very harsh” and presented evidence post-race to support the argument that Verstappen had been forced wide and held the right to the racing line. However, FIA stewards ruled that Piastri was entitled to space and Verstappen gained a lasting advantage, justifying the time penalty.
Despite their disagreement with the ruling, Red Bull ultimately decided against submitting a right of review, choosing instead to accept the FIA’s decision and move forward. “It’s frustrating, but we must respect the stewards’ authority and focus on the races ahead,” Horner said in a statement.
The decision has sparked renewed debate across the F1 paddock over the FIA’s consistency in enforcing racing rules and penalties. Many insiders believe that the incident may influence future updates to how track limits and overtaking maneuvers are judged, especially in high-stakes moments between title contenders.
Verstappen, who now sits third in the championship standings behind Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, expressed disappointment but remained focused on the rest of the season. “I prefer not to speak too much, or I’ll get into trouble,” he remarked post-race.
With the season still in its early stages, all eyes will be on Red Bull and Verstappen to see how they respond to this early controversy.
