FURIOUS MAX VERSTAPPEN HITS OUT AT F1'S RULERS AND INSISTS PEOPLE 'CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH'... AS A FIVE-SECOND PENALTY COSTS HIM IN SAUDI ARABIA WITH RIVAL OSCAR PIASTRI CLAIMING VICTORY
- Max Verstappen expressed his frustration after the Saudi Arabian grand prix
- Verstappen refused to discuss the decision to impose five-second penalty
Max Verstappen took a thinly veiled swipe at Formula One’s rulers with a near-vow of silence over the first corner incident that cost him victory in Saudi Arabia.
In a press conference of innuendo and riddles, the four-time world champion said he would not discuss the stewards’ decision to impose a five-second penalty on him for going off track and passing winner Oscar Piastri.
He said: ‘Turn One happened and suddenly it was lap 50. It’s all over super-fast.
‘I don’t want to say anything about it because anything it may get me into trouble.’
Verstappen, who finished second, was penalised for swearing last season by the FIA – ordered to do ‘community service’ in Rwanda. And with this apparently in mind, the Dutchman steered a careful line about whom he blamed for his reluctance to engage.
He said: ‘It has to do with social media and the way the world is. I’d prefer not to talk. Sometimes your words can be twisted or interpreted in a different way.
‘You can’t share your opinions because it’s not appreciated as it used to be. People can’t handle the truth. For me it is better if I don’t have to say too much because it saves me time. We already have to do too much (talking).
He then added: ‘I know I cannot swear in here. And you cannot be critical or anything that might harm or endanger (motorsport)… Or, let me get the (FIA) sheet out. There are a lot of lines in it, so that’s why it is better not to talk.’
Piastri, who takes the championship lead from fourth-placed Lando Norris, disagreed, saying: ‘I got a good launch and got alongside Max. I braked as late as I could to stay on track. The way it was dealt with was right.’
Read more 2025-04-20T23:17:33Z