Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert didn’t hold back in his criticism of Red Bull’s Christian Horner regarding Max Verstappen’s penalty at the Jeddah Grand Prix. Herbert slammed Horner for his “zero understanding” and labeled his defense of Verstappen as “a load of baloney.”
Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty by the FIA for leaving the track and gaining an advantage during a battle with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Despite Horner’s strong opposition to the penalty, Herbert was adamant that it was the right call.
“I don’t know how people will argue that it was an unfair penalty… most drivers are very aware of when they should give the place back,” Herbert stated.
While Horner tried to defend Verstappen with onboard footage showing him slightly ahead of Piastri, Herbert dismissed it as misleading. He criticized Red Bull for not conceding the position and argued that they had the chance to do so but chose not to.
The incident has sparked a debate in the F1 community, with Red Bull confirming they will not challenge the penalty through the right-of-review process. Horner expressed doubts about the success of an appeal, indicating that the stewards were unlikely to change their decision.
The controversy surrounding Verstappen’s penalty has raised questions about the enforcement of racing rules and the role of teams in accepting steward decisions. With tensions running high, the F1 world awaits the next chapter in this gripping saga.
