BREAKING: Ex-Ferrari Boss Calls for Grid Rule Change After…read more
BREAKING: Ex-Ferrari Boss Calls for Grid Rule Change After…read more
Peter Windsor, former Ferrari general manager and now a Formula 1 commentator on YouTube, has suggested a potential rule change following the controversy surrounding Max Verstappen’s start at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who began the race from pole position, got off to a slow start at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and was immediately challenged by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. In an attempt to defend his position, Verstappen went off-track before turn one, which led to a five-second time penalty. Piastri went on to win the race comfortably.
Frustrated with the penalty, Verstappen kept his post-race comments brief. Still, many believe the poor start placed him in a vulnerable spot, with Piastri already alongside him before the first corner. Windsor believes the real issue lies in the layout of certain tracks where the second grid slot offers an advantage due to its inside positioning.
“I’ve said for ages that the driver on pole should be allowed to choose which side of the grid they want to start from after qualifying,” Windsor explained. “At circuits like Jeddah, Austin, and Brazil, starting second can actually be better because the inside line gives a big edge heading into the first corner.”
He pointed out that although Verstappen had the cleaner side of the track, Piastri’s inside line allowed him to get alongside early, forcing Verstappen into a risky maneuver.
The proposed change would give pole-sitters the chance to select their starting side, helping to offset the advantage sometimes held by the second-placed driver. In this case, Windsor argues, Verstappen might have avoided the penalty altogether if he had started from the inside.
With this being Piastri’s third victory over Verstappen in the 2025 season, the Dutchman now trails by 12 points in the drivers’ standings. Windsor’s suggestion could spark new discussions around fairness and strategy in Formula 1’s current format.
