F1 News Today: Verstappen penalty protest decision made as Red Bull ins…. read more 

F1 News Today: Verstappen penalty protest decision made as Red Bull ins…. read more 

Red Bull Racing has officially decided not to challenge Max Verstappen’s controversial five-second penalty from last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, putting an end to speculation over a potential review. The penalty, handed to Verstappen for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while battling with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at Turn 1, ultimately cost him the race win.

Despite team principal Christian Horner initially calling the decision “very harsh,” Red Bull has chosen not to pursue the matter further. According to Horner, the team had presented photographic and video evidence to the FIA showing that Verstappen was already ahead at the corner and had no choice but to go wide due to Piastri’s defensive move. However, Red Bull concluded that an appeal was unlikely to succeed, citing the FIA’s strict review criteria and the difficulty of overturning in-race penalties.

The incident drew criticism from fans and pundits alike, many of whom questioned whether Verstappen had truly gained a lasting advantage or was merely avoiding contact. Verstappen himself refrained from commenting publicly on the matter, likely due to the FIA’s tight regulations around driver conduct and criticism of race officials. The reigning champion has previously been penalized for speaking out, and under the current administration, such remarks can result in fines or disciplinary action.

To make matters worse for Red Bull, the team found itself in an awkward situation shortly after the race due to a major blunder on their official website. A post-race article prematurely celebrated Verstappen as the race winner, completely overlooking the penalty that dropped him to second place behind Piastri. The article, titled “Max Claims Dominant Victory in Jeddah,” was quickly removed after fans noticed the mistake, but not before screenshots spread across social media.

The website error has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism about the team’s internal communication and media management. Some saw it as a sign of overconfidence, while others simply chalked it up to a timing mistake based on an early draft.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix result has shaken up the standings, with Oscar Piastri taking the win and moving to the top of the Drivers’ Championship with 99 points. He now leads teammate Lando Norris by 10 points, with Verstappen trailing by 12 points. McLaren has also extended their lead in the Constructors’ Championship.

As the season continues, Red Bull will be looking to bounce back both on and off the track, with the next race scheduled for May 4 in Miami. All eyes will be on how the team and Verstappen respond to the recent controversies.