Former Red Bull sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, now the Sauber Formula 1 team principal, has raised eyebrows with his comments on Red Bull’s handling of Max Verstappen’s penalty at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Wheatley, who departed from Red Bull during the 2024 season amid a team shake-up that saw key members leaving, hinted that he would have approached the situation differently.
Verstappen received a controversial five-second penalty for track limits violation during the race in Jeddah, which Wheatley implied could have been managed in an alternative manner. The Brit suggested that he would have advised a different course of action, indicating a potential disagreement with Red Bull’s decision-making.
Following the race, Verstappen expressed his discontent with the stewards’ call but refrained from elaborating, hinting at potential misinterpretation by social media. Wheatley’s remarks add an intriguing layer to the unfolding drama of Verstappen’s penalty and its impact on the race outcome.
Despite the leniency shown towards Verstappen by the FIA stewards due to mitigating circumstances, the penalty proved costly as it hindered his chances of victory. Oscar Piastri capitalized on the situation to secure his third win of the season and claim the top spot in the drivers’ championship.
Wheatley drew parallels between the Saudi Arabian GP incident and a similar one involving Verstappen and Lando Norris at the US GP in the previous season. The comparison sheds light on the complexities of race regulations and the subjectivity involved in penalty decisions in Formula 1.
As the sport continues to captivate fans with its mix of skill, strategy, and controversy, Wheatley’s insights offer a glimpse into the inner workings of team management and the high-stakes world of elite motorsport. The evolving dynamics between teams, drivers, and race officials add an extra layer of intrigue to an already thrilling F1 season.
