Red Bull’s Helmut Marko is stirring the pot again, questioning the FIA’s penalty decision against Max Verstappen.
- In a tense opening lap at the Saudi Arabian GP, Verstappen faced a controversial five-second penalty for gaining an off-track advantage.
- Marko criticized the decision, citing inconsistencies where F2 drivers received mere warnings for similar actions.
- Verstappen’s early race lead highlighted his pace before the penalty reshaped the race result.
- Verstappen remained tight-lipped, hinting that speaking out could lead to further issues.
In a development that’s sure to fuel paddock discussions, Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, has come forward to question the FIA’s judgment regarding Max Verstappen’s five-second penalty during the Saudi Arabian GP. Verstappen found himself penalized for gaining a lasting advantage when he rejoined the track ahead of Oscar Piastri after running wide. Marko, however, sees this decision as unfair, particularly when contrasted with similar incidents in Formula 2 where drivers escaped with nothing more than warnings. In his own words, “I think the race was lost at the start. And really, where was Max supposed to go?”
During the race’s opening moments, Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri were in a neck-and-neck battle approaching the first corner. Piastri appeared to have the upper hand, securing the apex while Verstappen went wide, only to re-enter ahead of his competitor. The stewards deemed this maneuver worthy of a penalty, a call Marko found harsh despite the penalty being reduced from a potential 10 seconds to five. “The inconsistency in stewarding is difficult to understand,” Marko expressed when comparing this situation to what he witnessed in F2 races.
Despite the setback, Verstappen showcased his competitive edge early on, pulling a significant three-second gap before facing any repercussions. Marko believes that without this penalty, Verstappen would have unquestionably clinched the race victory. The advisor pointed out that Oscar Piastri was already struggling with tire degradation as he chased Verstappen, indicating that the Red Bull driver had the edge in both pace and strategy. “We focused on securing P2,” Marko stated, acknowledging their race objectives altered by the penalty decision.
Max Verstappen chose to stay largely silent on the issue, reflecting a pragmatic approach to the evolving dynamics of Formula 1. He hinted that his candid opinions might not be well-received, aligning with his belief that the racing environment today requires discretion over discourse. “Honestly, it’s better if I don’t say too much,” Verstappen noted, acknowledging the hyper-sensitive atmosphere in which every word is heavily scrutinized. His stance suggests a shift in focus towards action on track rather than verbal disputes.
The FIA’s decision-making continues to spark debate, with Verstappen’s penalty at the Saudi GP highlighting ongoing inconsistencies.
