Internet divided after Verstappen's penalty in Jeddah: Too harsh or makes sense?

Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri's battle in Jeddah.<br>

23:03, 20 Apr 2025

Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.

For the first time in 2025, the pole sitter did not win the Grand Prix. After Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri locked horns, the Dutchman had to serve a penalty, while the McLaren driver claimed all 25 points.

Piastri had a better start off the line, and was alongside his rival in Turn 1. As a result, as the Australian pushed him wide, Verstappen decided to cut the corner instead.

The Red Bull driver did not hand back the position, and after the safety car left the track, it was announced that he received a five-second penalty by the stewards. After he served that in the pit lane during his single stop, Piastri managed to finish ahead of his rival.

The incident lead to much debate on the topic, both inside and outside of the paddock. While Helmut Marko saw it was a strict penalty, McLaren CEO Zak Brown called it 'appropriate'.

See here how the internet reacted to the four-time world champion's penalty below!.

Here is how the internet reacted to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Verstappen's penalty

Parody FIA

@FIAsteward

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Verstappen running in his favoured position here: an illegally gained one.

5:18 PM · Apr 20, 2025

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I swear verstappen thinks every rule in the book is just optional for him

5:07 PM · Apr 20, 2025

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Someone tell Verstappen Masi isn’t here anymore 😭

5:10 PM · Apr 20, 2025

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lawson 10 sec pen verstappen 5 sec pen for the same thing … #letstalkaboutit

Watch on X

6:07 PM · Apr 20, 2025

529

Read 6 replies

Maurice Bonn

@bonn_maurice

·Follow

Verstappen 5 sec penalty, pushed out by Piastri, ridiculous, #SaudiArabianGP

5:15 PM · Apr 20, 2025

Read 1 reply

Rob Morley

@RobMorley_

·Follow

Absolutely classic verstappen that like isn’t it, done it before at that corner. A 5 second time penalty is a shambles there. You’d take 5 seconds for track position all day.

5:13 PM · Apr 20, 2025

Read 1 reply

Quents

@PapaQuents

·Follow

Never a 5 sec penalty for verstappen there, just tell him to give the place back. It's not a penalty worthy incident imo

5:13 PM · Apr 20, 2025

Read 1 reply

Dimitri 🇩🇪🇪🇺

@Dimitriavid

·Follow

5 sec penalty isn’t enough of a punishment for this btw. Verstappen gains plenty more from driving in clean air 😂😂😂

5:39 PM · Apr 20, 2025

Read 1 reply

Carolina

@manguqueen

·Follow

Lmao Lawson getting a 10 sec and Verstappen only getting a 5 sec penalty is NASTY work

6:10 PM · Apr 20, 2025

Read 1 reply

This article was written in collaboration with Estéban den Toom

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9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	32
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	28
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
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19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
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Internet divided after Verstappen's penalty in Jeddah: Too harsh or makes sense?

Here is how the internet reacted to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Verstappen's penalty

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Horner points to rules of engagement: 'It would have been a win'

Mercedes doesn't have 'the explanation' for Russell's P5 finish

F1 Today | 'Red Bull wants to buy out Verstappen's contract clause', Mercedes withdraws Right of Review

'Mercedes power unit issues are a real concern after Antonelli's DNF'

Fittipaldi delivers verdict: 'Verstappen would beat Norris if they were on the same team'

Schedule | This is when Formula 1 returns to action with the Austrian Grand Prix

Australian stars hit back after Sky Sports pundits' heavy criticism of Piastri

From Raikkonen to Hamilton’s side: The rise of Ferrari’s ‘Italian Bono’

MotoGP Friday Practice Results: Ogura goes top as Marquez crashes again

Marc Marquez crashes twice during Friday practice in Brno

F1 Today | 'Red Bull wants to buy out Verstappen's contract clause', Mercedes withdraws Right of Review

'Mercedes power unit issues are a real concern after Antonelli's DNF'

Fittipaldi delivers verdict: 'Verstappen would beat Norris if they were on the same team'

Schedule | This is when Formula 1 returns to action with the Austrian Grand Prix

Popular on GPBlog

'Red Bull wants to buy out Verstappen's contract clause for millions'

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