Furious with the FIA, Verstappen Snubs Post-Race Interview

Max Verstappen storms off after a five-second penalty, refusing post-race questions and fuelling controversy ahead of the Miami GP.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fuming after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and he made it crystal clear.

The Dutch driver crossed the line in second place, just under three seconds behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. But a 5-second penalty for regaining a lost position by cutting the first corner cost him the win — and his patience.

It’s not the first time Verstappen has pulled this move. Flashback to 2021, same track, same story: multiple off-track lunges against Lewis Hamilton. This time, the stewards weren’t letting it slide. He dove into Turn 1 to snatch the lead back after losing it, and the FIA came down hard.

Annoyed and clearly not in the mood, Verstappen skipped the usual post-race media duties. Instead, he dropped a couple of sentences and left the mic cold.

“I’ll keep it short,” he told interviewer David Coulthard. “Thanks to the fans here in Jeddah — great weekend, I love this track. Looking forward to Miami. See you there.”

Cold. Sharp. Done.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hinted that Max kept quiet on purpose — not out of defeat, but strategy: “He definitely didn’t want to risk saying something that could earn him a fine or upset the FIA. But he clearly disagrees with the penalty.”

Verstappen has faced similar reprimands before — against Hamilton, Russell, Norris, even Leclerc. But this time, the frustration boiled over.

The fight moves to Miami. Don’t expect Verstappen to stay quiet there.

← Piastri Seizes Saudi Win and Grabs Championship Lead Piastri Refused to Settle for Second at Turn One →

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Furious with the FIA, Verstappen Snubs Post-Race Interview
Furious with the FIA, Verstappen Snubs Post-Race Interview