Breaking:Red Bull make final decision over…read more 

Red Bull make final decision over…read more 

Red Bull Racing has officially decided not to pursue a review of the time penalty given to Max Verstappen during the opening lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The decision was confirmed by the team to PlanetF1.com, putting an end to speculation that they might challenge the controversial ruling.

The incident occurred at the start of the race in Jeddah, where Verstappen, who had secured pole position with a strong qualifying performance, found himself under immediate pressure from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. As the lights went out, Piastri launched a strong start and claimed the inside line heading into the first corner. In a bid to hold onto the lead, Verstappen opted to cut across the run-off area, bypassing the track limits and emerging ahead of the McLaren.

Race stewards quickly reviewed the incident and determined that Verstappen had gained a lasting advantage by leaving the track. As a result, he was handed a five-second time penalty, which he served during the race. Despite this setback, Verstappen still managed to finish in second place, just behind Piastri, who claimed a well-earned victory.

Verstappen didn’t hide his feelings about the penalty when informed over team radio, sarcastically calling the decision “f***ing lovely,” a remark that reflected his clear frustration with the ruling. His race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, was the one who delivered the news over the airwaves.

After the race, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner appeared in the media pen armed with photographs and other evidence which he claimed supported Verstappen’s case. According to Horner, the visual evidence suggested that Verstappen had not actually gained an advantage or at least did not deserve to be penalized for the maneuver. Horner expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision, arguing that the situation was more complex than it may have appeared during the live broadcast.

However, after careful internal discussions and review of the situation, Red Bull has now opted not to pursue a formal right of review. Teams in Formula 1 are allowed to request a review of a decision if new, significant, and relevant evidence becomes available that was not considered at the time. Despite Horner’s apparent confidence in the team’s evidence, Red Bull ultimately chose not to proceed with an appeal.

The decision marks the end of the controversy surrounding the incident and allows the team to focus on the upcoming rounds of the championship. While Verstappen and Red Bull remain strong title contenders, the Saudi Grand Prix served as a reminder that even minor infractions can have significant impacts on race outcomes.

For now, Verstappen will have to accept the penalty and look ahead to future races, where he and Red Bull will aim to maintain their competitive edge and reclaim their wi

nning momentum.