During the recent race weekend in Saudi Arabia, Max Verstappen had to settle for second place behind Oscar Piastri, the Australian who won his third Grand Prix of the season. Verstappen could have potentially stood on the top step of the podium, had he not received a five-second time penalty. Following this penalty, the Dutchman was visibly upset after the race. Former FIA steward Johnny Herbert found Verstappen’s behaviour unacceptable.
Former driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert stated that Max Verstappen should have received a ten-second penalty for the incident with Oscar Piastri during the Saudi Arabian GP. The latter started from the second position on the grid, behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. However, Piastri attempted to overtake his rival in the very first corner. Verstappen cut the corner to maintain his position relative to Piastri. The stewards ruled that Verstappen thereby gained an unfair advantage.
After the race, Verstappen was clearly irritated by the imposed penalty. He refused to give an extensive interview on the grid, and his face was still stormy during the podium ceremony. “I saw Max Verstappen only drinking champagne on the podium – he left the celebrating to Piastri and Charles Leclerc,” said Johnny Herbert. “That came across as unprofessional and disrespectful, especially from a four-time world champion. Sometimes you just have to accept your loss.”
‘I’m Including Christian Horner in This’
“I don’t understand how people can claim it was an unjust penalty,” the Brit continued. “Those protesting probably have never sat in a race car – let alone a Formula 1 car – so they don’t understand it at all. I’m including Christian Horner in this. Of course, he’s the team boss and puts Red Bull first, but sometimes you just have to admit you were wrong and give the place back. Most drivers know very well when they should give a place back.”
After the race, Horner argued, based on footage from Max Verstappen‘s car, that his driver was leading and should not have been penalized. “Verstappen absolutely should have been penalized,” Herbert stated. “Horner tried to use a photo to show who was leading in the first corner, but that was nonsense. He was just trying to put the blame on the FIA. That’s not right at all. Red Bull had the chance to give the place back, but they chose not to.”
