🔥Breaking news: Christian Horner shocked everyone with the statement “Redbull has found evidence to exonerate Max Verstappen” to overturn the penalty for this racer. Details in the comments 👇👇
In a dramatic turn of events following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has ignited controversy by asserting that his team possesses compelling evidence to exonerate Max Verstappen from a contentious five-second penalty. The penalty, which cost Verstappen a potential victory, has sparked heated debate within the Formula 1 community, with Horner’s bold claim adding fuel to the fire. As the dust settles on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the prospect of overturning the stewards’ decision has fans and pundits eagerly awaiting further developments.
The incident in question occurred at the first corner of the race, where Verstappen, starting from pole, engaged in a fierce battle with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. As the two drivers jostled for position, Verstappen went off-track, retaining the lead. The stewards deemed that Piastri was alongside Verstappen at the apex of the corner, entitling the Australian to the position. Consequently, Verstappen was slapped with a five-second penalty, served during his pit stop, which dropped him behind Piastri, who went on to claim victory. Verstappen finished just 2.6 seconds behind, underscoring the penalty’s decisive impact on the race outcome.
Horner, visibly frustrated post-race, wasted no time in challenging the stewards’ ruling. Armed with screenshots from Verstappen’s onboard camera, he approached the media, presenting what he described as “stunning evidence” to dispute the penalty. According to Horner, the images clearly show Verstappen ahead of Piastri at the critical moment, suggesting the Dutchman was entitled to racing room and should not have been penalized. “We believe this proves Max was unfairly punished,” Horner declared, emphasizing that the penalty was “very harsh” and likely cost Red Bull a win. His assertion has sent shockwaves through the paddock, with rival team bosses and fans weighing in on the controversy.
The Red Bull chief’s decision to publicly showcase the evidence was a calculated move, aimed at pressuring the FIA to reconsider the stewards’ verdict. However, Horner stopped short of confirming a formal protest, noting that the team would first present the onboard footage to the stewards for review. “We’ll ask them to look at the evidence that wasn’t available at the time,” he explained, acknowledging the slim chances of a reversal. The stewards’ decision to issue a five-second penalty, rather than the standard ten seconds, suggests they viewed the incident as marginal, which Horner believes strengthens Red Bull’s case.
The reaction from rival teams has been mixed. McLaren CEO Zak Brown, whose driver Piastri benefited from the penalty, dismissed Horner’s claims, arguing that Verstappen’s off-track excursion gave him an unfair advantage. “Max had nowhere to go; he wasn’t making that corner,” Brown stated, echoing sentiments from another unnamed team principal who reportedly urged Horner to “let it go.” Meanwhile, Verstappen himself remained diplomatic, refraining from direct criticism to avoid further penalties. “It is what it is,” he said, conceding that the incident “potentially” cost him the race but praising Red Bull’s strong pace.
Red Bull’s decision not to immediately concede the position to Piastri during the race has also drawn scrutiny. Horner defended the strategy, explaining that giving up the lead would have placed Verstappen in dirty air, risking a drop in pace and vulnerability to other drivers like George Russell. “We were trying to pull a gap even with the penalty,” he said, highlighting the team’s belief in Verstappen’s ability to maintain the lead. The close finish, with Verstappen nearly overtaking Piastri despite the penalty, has fueled speculation that Red Bull’s car, the RB21, is regaining its competitive edge after a challenging start to the 2025 season.
The broader context of Red Bull’s season adds intrigue to Horner’s claims. After struggling with tyre management and car performance in earlier races, the team arrived in Jeddah with a significantly updated RB21, which showed promising pace. Verstappen’s pole position and near-victory suggest Red Bull is closing the gap to championship leaders McLaren. However, internal tensions, including reported rifts between Horner, motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, and Verstappen’s camp, continue to cast a shadow over the team’s campaign. Horner’s public push to clear Verstappen’s name may also serve to rally the team and its star driver amid these challenges.
As the F1 circus moves to the next race, all eyes will be on the FIA’s response to Red Bull’s evidence. While a formal right of review seems unlikely, given Helmut Marko’s admission that no “new facts” beyond the onboard footage exist, Horner’s audacious move has reignited discussions about stewarding consistency in F1. For now, Verstappen remains focused on the championship, trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris by just 12 points. Whether Red Bull’s evidence can overturn the penalty remains uncertain, but Horner’s shock announcement has ensured that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be remembered as a flashpoint in the 2025 season.
