Breaking: FIA Officially Issues Statement After Confirming Verstappen’s…read more
FIA Officially Issues Statement After Confirming Verstappen’s…read more.
The FIA has released an official statement after confirming the penalty issued to Max Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver was handed a five-second time penalty following an on-track incident involving overtaking under yellow flag conditions, which was deemed a breach of the sporting regulations.
Verstappen, who had been fighting for a podium position, was penalized after race stewards reviewed the footage and telemetry data. According to the FIA, the Dutch driver failed to slow down sufficiently in a sector where yellow flags were being waved due to a separate incident. The penalty ultimately impacted his final race position, costing him valuable championship points.
In their statement, the FIA emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to safety regulations, particularly under yellow flag conditions where marshals or other drivers may be at risk. “Driver safety and the enforcement of sporting regulations remain our top priorities,” the statement read. “All competitors are expected to respect flag signals, and breaches will be dealt with accordingly.”
Red Bull Racing has acknowledged the penalty and opted not to appeal the decision, although Verstappen expressed frustration over the ruling in post-race interviews, arguing that he had exercised caution and believed the penalty was harsh.
The decision adds further tension to an already heated title battle, with every point crucial in a tightly contested championship. With the season still in its early stages, the incident is expected to be a talking point heading into the next Grand Prix.
