Ex-F1 Steward Claims Verstappen Deserved Harsher Penalty

Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has faced criticism for using photographs to defend Max Verstappen’s collision with Oscar Piastri at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s first corner.

The incident at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, during the Formula 1 race, saw Verstappen of Red Bull and Piastri of McLaren clash at Turn 1. This resulted in divided opinions regarding the appropriateness of the five-second penalty Verstappen received for track limit violations.

During the post-race press briefing, Horner presented photographic ‘evidence’ in an attempt to justify Verstappen’s actions, suggesting the reigning world champion was ahead while braking.

Johnny Herbert, a former F1 steward, has strongly disputed Horner’s defense, dismissing it as utterly nonsensical.

Herbert stated that Horner’s picture was merely an attempt to shift blame onto the FIA and stewards, deeming it inappropriate. He highlighted that Red Bull could have conceded the position but chose not to.

Herbert noted a similar situation involving Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc at the same corner and lap, where Antonelli yielded the position.

He speculated that had Verstappen ceded the position, he likely would have won. Instead, they risked a strategy aimed at managing the five-second penalty by maintaining the lead with a clear track ahead.

Herbert added that this strategy might have worked with Red Bull’s superior car of previous seasons. However, McLaren and Piastri were able to keep pace.

Herbert agreed with Verstappen’s penalty. Furthermore, he contended that, based on a strict application of the rules, a ten-second penalty might have been more fitting.

It’s worth noting that Piastri emerged as the victor at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, securing his third victory of the season and overtaking his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, for the lead in the Formula One World Championship.