Red Bull’s refusal to return position raises questions over Verstappen’s style, reigniting the debate on fair racing conduct in F1.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes Red Bull missed a clear opportunity to avoid a penalty for Max Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — simply by playing fair.
Verstappen crossed the line in second after serving a five-second time penalty that cost him a likely win in Jeddah, handing victory to Oscar Piastri.
Though Verstappen had started on pole, a sluggish getaway allowed Piastri to challenge into Turn 1. The McLaren driver had the inside line and kept his car within track limits — but Verstappen, running on the outside, squeezed ahead by cutting across Turn 2 and holding onto the lead.
Red Bull insisted Verstappen was entitled to the move, claiming he had the corner. But the stewards disagreed, handing him a time penalty for gaining an unfair advantage.
Stella saw it differently — and made it clear he thought Red Bull should’ve told their driver to give the place back.
“To be fair, it was a close call into Turn 1 between Oscar and Max,” Stella said. “But this is Formula 1 — it’s about fine margins. Oscar had a better launch and secured the inside line. He stayed within the track, which means Max had no right to pass him off-track.”
Stella pointed out that this wasn’t the first time such a situation occurred — referencing how McLaren had acted just a week earlier in Bahrain when Lando Norris passed Lewis Hamilton off the circuit.
“We told Lando to give the place back, even though Hamilton had pushed him wide. That’s just racing done right. It wasn’t controversial then, and it shouldn’t be now.”
“But Red Bull and Verstappen don’t always follow the same code of clean, fair racing.”
George Russell, another direct rival of Verstappen’s, also didn’t hold back.
“Honestly? I was surprised he didn’t just give the position back,” Russell said. “But that’s Max. I don’t have much more to add.”
Even within Red Bull’s own camp, there’s some doubt. Jonathan Wheatley, former Sporting Director for the team, admitted yesterday that he would’ve handled the situation differently.
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Red Bull and Verstappen’s Racing Ethics Questioned After Jeddah Clash Red Bull and Verstappen’s Racing Ethics Questioned After Jeddah Clash
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