Red Bull’s Horner Disappointed as Verstappen Penalized in Saudi Arabian GP

Max Verstappen’s heart-breaking Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix victory slip-through-the-fingers moment has left Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner baffled and dissatisfied. The Dutch world champion was docked five seconds for a Turn 1 incident, promoting Oscar Piastri to his first-ever win. Here’s a recap of the drama and Horner’s take on the penalty.

Christian Horner explained that while Red Bull is unlikely to contest the penalty that cost Max Verstappen the win, they will present new evidence to the stewards. Red Bull holds Polar.views that the penalty was harsh and that Verstappen was unfairly penalized.

The Incident in Question

Piastri, McLaren’s new prospect, went for an inside line at Turn 1. In doing so, he forced Verstappen wide at the following chicane, prompting the stewards to slap a five-second penalty on the Red Bull driver.

Horner’s Take on the Incident

Horner, visibly frustrated, argued that Verstappen was ahead at the apex of Turn 1, as proven by footage from the latter’s onboard camera.

"I thought it was very harsh. We didn’t concede the position because we didn’t believe that he had done anything wrong."

He went on to explain that giving up the position would have put Verstappen in George Russell’s dirty air and at risk.

Half the Penalty: A Sign of Indecision?

Horner pointed out that the five-second penalty was half of what it could have been, hinting that the stewards might have been unsure about their decision.

"Yeah, I think they [stewards] were [in two minds]… When you look at that [footage], I can’t see how they got to that conclusion."

Horner also suggested that the leniency might have been Red Bull’s gain, but it ultimately cost them the win.

Impact on the Race

The penalty was the decisive moment in the Saudi Arabian race, dropping Verstappen from first to third. He crossed the finish line just 2.6 seconds behind Piastri,had he not served the penalty, he would have secured his fourth win of the season.

Verstappen’s Reaction

Upon emerging from the pits, the Netherlands’# 1 F1 driver took to his social media to express his frustration:

"…5 seconds hunters in Saudi Arabia. No further comment needed."

Verstappen’s coach, Jean Alesi, later added that the penalty was inconsistent with previous race incidents.

Takeaway

The Saudi Arabian GP has sparked debate and disappointment among Red Bull fans. While the team may not contest the decision, they are eager to present new evidence to the stewards. Only time will tell if the penalty stands or if it contributes to a contentious chapter in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Questions remain: Will Red Bull continue to challenge the penalty ruling? How will Verstappen respond to this setback? Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.

Did you know? Oscar Piastri became the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race after the age of 18, breaking Max Verstappen’s record.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for the upcoming races, as the Formula 1 championship battle just got even more exciting.

Call-to-action: Share your thoughts on the controversial penalty in the comments, and explore more thrilling Formula 1 news on https://247sports.news/sports/f1/

FAQ Section:

Q: Was Verstappen’s penalty fair?
A: The Red Bull team and Max Verstappen do not believe so. They argue that he was ahead at the crucial moment.

Q: Will Red Bull challenge the penalty?
A: Horner said it’s unlikely they will contest it, but they are open to presenting new evidence to the stewards.