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FIA Confirms Deleted Lap Times for Hamilton and Verstappen at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

The FIA has confirmed that several drivers had their lap times deleted during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, including top names like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. These deletions were due to breaches of track limits on the high-speed, street-based Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Known for its tight corners and fast sections, the track proved to be a serious challenge once again, with even the most experienced drivers struggling to stay within the prescribed boundaries.

One of the key incidents involved Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who started the race from pole position. Early in the race, while defending from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Verstappen ran wide and rejoined the circuit ahead of the Australian, prompting an investigation by the stewards. They ruled that Verstappen had gained an unfair advantage by cutting the corner and rejoining ahead of his rival, handing him a five-second time penalty.

In addition to the in-race penalty, Verstappen also had one of his lap times deleted for exceeding track limits. He wasn’t the only one — FIA documents confirmed that Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and several others also had lap times removed for similar infractions. While these deletions didn’t drastically change the outcome for most drivers, Verstappen’s penalty had a tangible impact. When he served the five-second penalty during a pit stop, he lost track position to Piastri. Despite fighting back to finish second, Verstappen was audibly frustrated over team radio, sarcastically telling his race engineer, “Well that is f****** lovely.”

Although Verstappen managed to salvage a strong result, the penalty may have cost him a shot at the win. The second-place finish still earned him valuable points, but he now finds himself third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, trailing leader Oscar Piastri by 12 points. Piastri, who drove with precision and maturity throughout the race, claimed a well-deserved victory and further solidified his emergence as a serious title contender in 2025.

Hamilton’s deleted lap was less dramatic but indicative of broader problems. The seven-time world champion continues to wrestle with an unbalanced Mercedes car. His performance throughout the race was inconsistent, with pace and grip proving elusive. While he didn’t receive a time penalty, the track limits issue adds to the growing list of concerns for Mercedes this season.

Lando Norris also had a lap time deleted but, like Hamilton, it did not significantly affect his final position. However, the sheer number of drivers penalized points to the difficulty of navigating the Jeddah Corniche Circuit cleanly. Its narrow layout, high-speed flow, and tight corners demand extreme precision, and even slight miscalculations are punished.

Track limits have become a recurring topic in F1, with many divided over the current rules. Some argue that strict enforcement ensures fair play, while others believe it disrupts the racing spectacle and lacks consistency. Nevertheless, the FIA has maintained a firm stance, stating that drivers are clearly briefed and that uniform enforcement is essential to fairness.

Looking ahead, Verstappen will be keen to bounce back and secure his first win of the season. Meanwhile, Piastri and McLaren carry significant momentum into the next round. For Hamilton and Mercedes, finding solutions quickly is crucial as the season intensifies and every point — and every deleted lap — could shape the championship outcome.