BREAKING: F1 Pundit points Max Verstappen ERROR led to Penalty A…read more
BREAKING: F1 Pundit points Max Verstappen ERROR led to Penalty A…read more
Max Verstappen’s second-place finish at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix came with a dose of controversy after he was handed a five-second time penalty a decision that has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits. Now, former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has weighed in, offering a detailed explanation of why Verstappen’s move was penalised and how a split-second choice may have cost him victory.
The penalty stemmed from a dramatic moment at the race start. Verstappen, starting from pole position, was challenged by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri heading into Turn 1. Piastri, starting from the second row on the dirty side of the grid, executed an exceptional launch that allowed him to edge ahead of the Red Bull driver. In response, Verstappen took to the run-off area cutting across Turn 1 and emerged still in front.
Although he retained the lead initially, Verstappen was later penalised by the stewards for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage, which he served during his pit stop, effectively handing the race win to Piastri. The decision left Verstappen visibly irritated, but Chandhok believes it was a fair and consistent call.
Chandhok: Verstappen Should Have Backed Off
Analyzing the start on the SkyPad, Chandhok praised Piastri for his flawless execution.
“Oscar Piastri nailed the start. His reaction and traction were fantastic, especially considering he launched from the dirty side of the grid,” Chandhok explained. “If you look at others on that side like Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz they lost ground, but Piastri surged forward.”
Chandhok then broke down Verstappen’s thought process in real-time.
“Max sees Oscar coming up alongside and thinks, ‘I need to do something different here.’ So he opts for the outside line, probably hoping to swoop around or position himself better for Turn 2,” he said. “But by going off-track and keeping the lead, he gained an advantage that wasn’t earned fairly on the racing line.”
At that point, according to Chandhok, Verstappen should have conceded the position to avoid a penalty.
“Once he saw Oscar had the corner, Max should have backed out, slotted in behind him, and tried to reclaim the place later in the race,” Chandhok said. “Instead, he cut the corner and came out ahead, which is the definition of gaining a lasting advantage.”
A Pattern of Consistency from FIA Stewards
Chandhok pointed out that the stewards’ ruling was consistent with past decisions, referencing a nearly identical incident at the 2024 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. During that race, Lando Norris passed Verstappen by going off-track and received the same five-second penalty.
“In Austin, it was Lando who left the track, came out ahead of Max, and got penalised for it,” Chandhok noted. “This time, the roles were reversed Max went off and gained the advantage so the same rule applied. It’s consistent and clear.”
Red Bull Frustration, McLaren Momentum
Despite Red Bull’s frustrations with the ruling, the penalty marked a significant moment in the championship battle. It not only prevented Verstappen from claiming another win but also elevated Oscar Piastri to his third victory of the season and his first-ever lead in the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings.
For Verstappen, the moment highlights how razor-thin the margins are in modern Formula 1 and how a single move at Turn 1 can shape the outcome of an entire race weekend.
As the title race heats up, the incident serves as a reminder that while aggressive racing is encouraged, respecting track limits and racecraft fundamentals remains crucial. For now, Piastri and McLaren have seized the momentum, while Verstappen will be aiming to bounce back in the next round with a cleaner performance and no penalties to hold him back.
