Breaking news:Kelly Piquet Breaks Silence on Max Verstappen’s S….Readmore
Things got a little heated in Jeddah last weekend, and it wasn’t just the desert sun. After Max Verstappen was handed a controversial five-second penalty during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, his partner Kelly Piquet has now spoken out—and she’s not happy about it.
The penalty came early in the race, when Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri went wheel-to-wheel into Turn 1. The Red Bull star ran wide and rejoined ahead of Piastri, with the stewards later deciding he had gained a lasting advantage by leaving the track. The result? A five-second time penalty that Max had to serve during his pit stop.
Although Verstappen managed to stay in the fight and eventually finished second, it was clear the penalty changed the course of the race. Without it, many believe he could have challenged Piastri for the win.
Kelly Piquet, who’s been a regular presence in the paddock supporting Max, made her feelings known shortly after the race. While she didn’t go into full-blown rant mode, sources close to her say she felt the penalty was harsh and unnecessary. Some fans even noted her less-than-thrilled reaction as she watched the action unfold from the Red Bull garage.
This isn’t the first time a post-race decision has caused debate, and it probably won’t be the last. F1 penalties—especially ones involving track limits or first-lap racing incidents—can often stir up differing opinions, and this one was no different. Social media quickly lit up with fans split down the middle: some supporting the call, others insisting it was just hard, fair racing.
For Verstappen, it’s just another twist in a season that’s already shaping up to be tightly contested. McLaren has looked sharp in recent races, and Piastri’s win is a sign that the competition at the front is heating up.
As for Kelly, her comments show just how invested she is in Max’s journey—and she’s certainly not alone in questioning how the rules are applied from race to race.
One thing’s for sure: the 2025 season is far from predictable, and if Jeddah was anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride.
