Sky F1’s Martin Brundle believes that Max Verstappen “gambled and lost out” in last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in a rare moment of miscalculation on the part of the reigning world champion.
Verstappen, starting from pole, was outlaunched by Oscar Piastri’s McLaren and cut Turn 1 to hold his lead, contending that he was forced off the track by his rival.
But the gamble backfired when the stewards predictably deemed the Dutchman’s maneuver an unfair advantage.
The subsequent five-second penalty, served during his pit stop, dropped Verstappen behind Piastri, who cruised to a 2.8-second win.
“Nobody Games the Regulations as well as Max”
Brundle’s take highlighted Verstappen’s tactical error and its ripple effects on Red Bull’s race.
“Nobody games the regulations as well as Max, but for the first time he gambled and lost out,” the former F1 driver wrote in his post-race Sky column.
“Sometimes you can see incidents from different angles and debate the scenario and doubt your first impressions, but accelerating across the run-off area with relatively little steering lock had plainly given Max an unfair advantage and the lead.
"I and many others had no doubt about that, and nor did the stewards who awarded a five-second penalty, mitigated down from 10 seconds because it was during the opening lap and in close combat.
“He would eventually lose the race by 2.8 seconds and it's possible that if the team had told him to immediately hand back the position, he may have won.
“On the other hand, he was out front in clear air which helped protect his tyres, brakes and engine from overheating and gave him strong pace for all the first stint. Maybe it's worth taking a five-second penalty for that benefit.”
Red Bull’s Misread and Verstappen’s Frustration
The penalty sparked fury from Verstappen and Red Bull, with team principal Christian Horner presenting data and pictures to the media to challenge the stewards’ call, insisting it was overly harsh.
Brundle, while empathetic to their competitive fire, argued they misread the situation.
“If there had been a wall, barrier or gravel trap on the outside of turn one, Max would have yielded and tucked in behind Piastri's McLaren,” he continued.
Read also: Horner convinced ‘harsh’ penalty cost Verstappen Jeddah win“Max would continue to be livid long after the race for what he perceived as an error of the stewards, and that he had won the corner but simply been forced off. As was Christian Horner, the team boss, who steamed in to support his man.
“I understand they are hardwired to be so ultra-competitive, along with endlessly being convinced that they are right and everybody else is wrong. That's why they dominated so many seasons, but they didn't read this one properly and lost out.”
Brundle’s analysis adds a veteran’s insight to a moment that may yet prove pivotal in the 2025 title fight.
For Verstappen, it was a rare misstep. For Piastri and McLaren, it was the moment that opened the door to a crucial victory.
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