Verstappen penalty sparks questions: Will he modify his driving?

Verstappen penalty reignites debate over driving style

As the Formula 1 circus packs up after the first triple-header of the 2025 season, one moment from Jeddah continues to dominate the post-race chatter: Max Verstappen’s five-second penalty for running off track while battling Oscar Piastri. It was a rare scene – the Dutchman, so often the aggressor and victor in wheel-to-wheel combat, was handed a sanction that arguably cost him the win and handed the momentum to McLaren’s new championship leader.

The big question on everyone’s lips now is: will Verstappen change the way he races?

New guidelines test Verstappen’s style

The penalty Verstappen received in Saudi Arabia was tied directly to new stewarding guidelines introduced this year. These updates were pushed through following pressure from drivers frustrated by what they saw as inconsistent officiating – often, if we’re being honest, favouring Verstappen’s hard-nosed style.

The incident in question unfolded at Turn 1 on lap one, as Piastri attacked Verstappen on the inside. According to the stewards, Piastri’s front axle was at least alongside Verstappen’s car at the apex. By the letter of the new rules, that made it the McLaren driver’s corner. Verstappen, however, refused to yield, ran wide, and retained the lead by cutting the corner.

The outcome? A five-second time penalty, despite Red Bull arguing that Verstappen had nowhere to go.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner wasn’t shy in expressing his opinion, calling the sanction “very harsh.” Verstappen himself declined to comment directly on the ruling, citing concerns about being punished for criticising the FIA. But his silence said a lot.

Old habits, new world?

Verstappen has made a career out of pushing the envelope – and occasionally shoving it off the desk. He’s smart, ruthless, and supremely talented. He knows that track position is king, especially on street circuits like Jeddah where passing opportunities are scarce.

In the past, this approach often paid off. The stewards have been reluctant to intervene in marginal calls, and Verstappen usually came out on top. But the tide seems to be turning. The new regulations are clear: if your rival gets a significant overlap, you must leave space.

This was the first real test of the new rules, and Verstappen’s usual tactics didn’t pay off. Will that force a change? Maybe. Verstappen is no fool – if the risk of punishment starts to outweigh the reward, even he might adjust. But expecting a wholesale shift in his mindset is optimistic. These instincts are baked in from a lifetime of racing.

Piastri shows he’s not here to be pushed around

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri side by side going into the first corner of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

While the spotlight was on Verstappen, Oscar Piastri came away from Saudi Arabia with his stock higher than ever. The Australian’s win not only propelled him to the top of the standings, but also sent a clear message: he won’t be intimidated.

Piastri’s calm, calculated aggression is earning him respect up and down the paddock. He took the fight to Verstappen and didn’t back down – and crucially, he came out ahead both on track and on the timesheet.

As for his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, questions are being asked. He was the clear leader within the team in 2024, but so far this season, it’s Piastri who looks more comfortable.

Norris searching for answers

Norris has been honest about his current struggles. He’s admitted the car doesn’t quite suit his style, particularly its behaviour on turn-in and front-end grip. In Jeddah, he took too many risks in qualifying and paid the price.

“It’s my Saturdays,” he said after the race. “I just need to chill out a bit. I’m pushing too hard for the perfect lap.”

That self-awareness is valuable, but in a sport where a tenth of a second is the difference between pole and P6, talk alone won’t solve the problem. Norris may not need a session with Nico Rosberg just yet, but there’s no doubt he’s looking to rediscover that sharpness that made him McLaren’s undisputed number one just a year ago.

Time penalties under the microscope

Verstappen’s five-second penalty also reignited a broader conversation: are these post-incident, time-based penalties really the best way to police on-track behaviour?

Take Liam Lawson’s case in the same race. He passed Jack Doohan off the circuit later in the Grand Prix and was slapped with a 10-second penalty – the standard punishment for gaining a lasting advantage off track. So why was Verstappen’s only five?

The answer lies in context. The stewards said they considered the fact that Verstappen’s offence occurred on lap one a “mitigating circumstance” – a nod to how chaotic the opening corners of any race can be.

Still, the discrepancy doesn’t sit well with all fans or teams. And some are calling for a return to drive-through penalties or position swaps that immediately affect the race order. That way, a faster car can’t exploit the current system by building a gap to “cancel out” a time penalty.

The case of Williams: Quiet revolution underway

While Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari battle at the sharp end, Williams have quietly turned heads in the midfield. Already, they’ve eclipsed their entire points total from 2024 – and it’s only April.

The team’s resurgence is down to a mix of investment, management and infrastructure. Under James Vowles, Williams are rebuilding the foundations. They’ve expanded from 700 staff to 1,000, introduced cutting-edge simulator tech, and are finally producing a car that’s on the weight limit rather than 10kg over it.

That detail alone could be worth around half a second per lap. Combine that with a strong driver line-up in Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, and you’ve got a team finally punching their weight again.

There’s still a long way to go, but the signs are promising. The new car is quick, reliable, and consistent – and the drivers are delivering the results to match.

Looking ahead to Miami

With the next round taking place in Miami from 2-4 May, all eyes will be on how the leading teams respond. Will Verstappen bounce back? Can Piastri hold his nerve as championship leader? Will Norris close the gap to his teammate?

One thing is for sure – Formula 1’s 2025 season is wide open, and the narrative is shifting. The Verstappen penalty may not just be a one-off talking point, but the first chapter in a new phase of driver conduct and stewarding consistency.

And if that means we get more clean, hard, and fair racing between the sport’s best talents, it’s hard to argue against it.