In a stunning turn of events at the GP of Saudi Arabia, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has voiced his support for the penalty imposed on Max Verstappen, claiming that Oscar Piastri was rightfully ahead and Verstappen should have yielded. The race saw Verstappen securing pole position by a mere 10 milliseconds, outperforming Piastri with the help of a strategic slipstream from Tsunoda.
Brown emphasized, “The penalty is fair – Max either had to give back the position or receive a five-second penalty. Piastri was on the inside and ahead, at some point you have to ‘surrender’ or at least stay on track.” The intense competition between Verstappen and Piastri took a dramatic turn as the Dutch driver made a less-than-ideal start, allowing Piastri to overtake him on the first corner. Verstappen attempted to hold his ground on the outside, cutting the chicane without ceding the position to Piastri, resulting in the penalty.
Furthermore, Brown acknowledged the prowess of Verstappen and the Red Bull team, expressing that McLaren does not anticipate dominating the 2025 season despite their recent success. With four victories in five races, Brown noted, “Verstappen is a fantastic driver and Red Bull has a very good car. There are still many races to go, and both Mercedes with Russell and Ferrari with Leclerc have shown their ability to compete for victory.”
As the Formula 1 season unfolds, the rivalry between Verstappen, Piastri, and other top contenders promises to deliver thrilling races and intense moments on the track. Brown’s comments shed light on the strategic decisions and sportsmanship that play a crucial role in the high-stakes world of Grand Prix racing.
