Max Verstappen gives blunt response to FIA penalty at Saudi Arabian GP

Max Verstappen was not in the mood to talk about the five-second penalty that ruined his chances of winning the Saudi Arabian GP.

Max Verstappen gives blunt response to FIA penalty at Saudi Arabian GP

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen continues to have a rollercoaster of a season in 2025. The reigning world champion is pushing himself to the limit against the fierce McLaren cars. The Dutch driver surprised the paddock by qualifying on pole for the Saudi Arabian GP. However, a penalty in the race ultimately ruined his chances to win the race.

Verstappen was far from happy over the five-second penalty. The 27-year-old was going wheel-to-wheel against Oscar Piastri at Turn 1. The Red Bull star lacked room to make it through and had to run wide. After running wide, the Dutch driver did not give the position to Piastri. This led to the FIA handing him a five-second time penalty, which he served during the round of pitstops.

YouTube video

After the race, Max Verstappen was asked about the penalty. On the team radio, the 27-year-old had insisted that he was pushed off by the McLaren and had no where else to go. However, post-race, the reigning world champion refused to comment on the incident. Verstappen made it clear that he didn’t care if the penalty decided the race, as he simply was not interested in talking about it.

No. I don’t care… I don’t want to talk about it.

Max Verstappen told Viaplay

Moreover, during the post-race press conference, the four-time world champion doubled down on his stance. Max Verstappen claimed that he was not going to express his opinion regarding the incident as it could get him penalized by the FIA. As the sports governing body could penalize drivers for criticizing its decisions.

The problem is that i can not share my opinion about it because i might get penalized.

Max Verstappen added.

Max Verstappen reveals reason for short answers

Since last year, Max Verstappen has adopted a different approach to the media. The Dutch driver has resorted to short answers ever since he was handed a penalty for swearing by the FIA last season. This approach has continued this season, even though Verstappen has not directly mentioned the swearing ban recently.

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen
Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (via F1)

The four-time world champion revealed that social media was the main reason for his brief answers. The Red Bull star insisted that nowadays, words can be easily twisted online. As such, Verstappen believes that its better for him to talk less, to avoid getting dragged into any controversies.

It just has to do with social media in general, how the world is. i prefer not to talk, or not a lot because sometimes your words can be twisted… it’s honestly better not to speak too much.

Max Verstappen stated

Certainly, Max Verstappen is a driver who thinks what he speaks. The 27-year-old does not care about being politically accurate when it comes to his standoff with the FIA. Fans do appreciate Verstappen’s blunt nature as it allows them to see a different side of the Red Bull star.

However, it is clear that the reigning world champion is not happy with how the things are in and outside of the track at the moment. Thus, the orange army would be hoping to see Verstappen bounce back after a controversial defeat in Jeddah.