Max Verstappen Slams FIA for Unfair Penalty as Oscar Piastri Escapes Scrutiny at Saudi GP
Jeddah, April 21, 2025 – Max Verstappen’s frustration boiled over after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where the Red Bull driver was hit with a controversial 5-second penalty that cost him victory, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri faced no repercussions following what Verstappen called a “bizarre” FIA investigation. “They were not fair to me,” Verstappen fumed, accusing the stewards of inconsistent rulings in a fiery post-race outburst that has reignited debates over FIA impartiality.
The incident occurred at the start of the April 20 race at Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Verstappen, starting from pole, was outdragged by Piastri into Turn 1. As the duo battled wheel-to-wheel, Verstappen cut the chicane to retain the lead, prompting the FIA to issue a 5-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Piastri, who Verstappen claimed forced him wide, emerged unscathed, with the stewards ruling that the Australian had the right to the corner as his front axle was alongside Verstappen’s mirrors at the apex, per the FIA’s Driver’s Standards Guidelines.
Verstappen’s radio erupted with an X-rated reaction—“Well that is f***ing lovely”—and his post-race comments were equally scathing. “The FIA picks and chooses who to penalize. I’m penalized for defending my position, but Piastri drifts wide, leaves no room, and gets nothing? It’s a joke,” he told Sky Sports F1, later adding, “They were not fair to me. People can’t handle the full truth, so I won’t say more.” Verstappen’s restraint was driven by fear of further sanctions, referencing the FIA’s tightened misconduct rules, which include fines and potential bans for criticism causing “moral injury” to the governing body.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, brandishing telemetry data to argue that Piastri’s line pushed Verstappen off-track. “It was a harsh call. Both drivers went in at the same speed, and Oscar ran deep. Where was Max supposed to go?” Horner said, confirming Red Bull’s intent to present onboard footage to the FIA for review, though a formal protest is unlikely. Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle, however, backed the penalty, stating, “Oscar had the corner. Max didn’t try to make it and should’ve tucked back in. The team’s decision not to give the place back sealed the penalty.”
The investigation’s outcome baffled Red Bull, especially as the stewards noted a 10-second penalty was standard for such infractions but reduced it to 5 seconds due to the first-lap context. Meanwhile, Piastri’s clean slate drew scrutiny, with fans on X accusing the FIA of favoritism. One post read, “Piastri misses the apex, forces Max off, and walks free? FIA’s playing favorites.” Another countered, “Max knew the rules and still cut the corner. Penalty was fair.”
Piastri, unfazed, celebrated his third win of 2025, taking the championship lead with a 2.8-second gap over Verstappen. “I was ahead at the apex. The corner was mine, and the stewards got it right,” he said, dismissing Red Bull’s complaints. His bold pass around Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari at Turns 22-23 later in the race underscored his command, earning him praise as a “veteran” in his 51st F1 race.
The penalty dropped Verstappen to third in the standings, 12 points behind Piastri, with Red Bull lagging 99 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ race. As rumors swirl about Verstappen’s future amid Red Bull’s inconsistent pace, his clash with the FIA adds fuel to an already tense season. With the Miami Grand Prix looming, the paddock braces for another chapter in this championship showdown, where Verstappen’s fight is as much with the stewards as with his rivals.
