Red Bull makes Final Decision over…read more
Red Bull Racing has officially decided not to challenge the five-second time penalty handed to Max Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, bringing an end to the speculation surrounding a possible appeal to the FIA. The penalty was issued for an incident that occurred just moments after the start of the race, when Verstappen left the track while defending his lead from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Despite some post-race outcry, Red Bull has now opted against pursuing a formal review.
The controversy began right at the beginning of the race in Jeddah. Verstappen had started from pole position and looked to defend his lead going into the first corner. However, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri got a strong launch and managed to draw alongside Verstappen on the inside. In an effort to stay ahead, Verstappen veered off the racing line and used the run-off area, rejoining the track in front of Piastri. The race stewards later ruled that Verstappen had gained a lasting advantage by cutting the corner, and penalized him with a five-second time addition.
Verstappen was clearly unimpressed with the decision, responding over the team radio with a sarcastic “f***ing lovely” when informed of the penalty by his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. Regardless of the setback, the Dutch driver pressed on and delivered a strong performance, ultimately finishing the race in second place behind Piastri, who claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory.
Following the race, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner expressed frustration over the decision. He appeared in the media zone with photographic evidence which he claimed showed that Verstappen had not gained a significant advantage from the maneuver. Horner suggested that Verstappen’s off-track excursion did not merit a penalty, indicating that Red Bull might consider taking the issue further.
Despite the initial discontent, Red Bull has now confirmed to PlanetF1.com that they will not be filing for a right of review. This means that the team has accepted the stewards’ original verdict and has decided not to pursue further action through the FIA.
The move might come as a surprise to some fans and paddock insiders, given Red Bull’s vocal frustration immediately after the race. The team was visibly agitated by what they perceived as a harsh and unnecessary punishment. However, their decision not to appeal likely stems from a pragmatic evaluation of the situation. Challenging a stewards’ ruling through the right of review requires presenting new and significant evidence that was not available at the time of the decision—a high bar that Red Bull may have concluded they could not meet convincingly.
Additionally, it’s possible that the team decided the potential benefits of an appeal did not outweigh the costs or distractions it might cause. With Verstappen still securing 18 points from a second-place finish, Red Bull remains in a solid position in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings. An appeal process might not have changed the race result significantly enough to justify the effort, especially if the odds of success were slim.
This decision could also reflect a broader strategy from Red Bull, which has often balanced aggressive racing with political acumen in dealing with F1’s governing bodies. Choosing not to escalate the dispute may help maintain a constructive relationship with the FIA as the season progresses. It also signals that Red Bull is more focused on the long game—defending their titles and ensuring that on-track performance takes precedence over drawn-out regulatory battles.
Though the incident continues to be discussed among fans and experts, Red Bull’s official stance effectively closes the chapter. The matter will now fade from headlines, and the focus shifts to the upcoming rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season. With Max Verstappen leading their campaign and the RB21 showing strong pace, the reigning champions are firmly in contention to extend their dominance.
As the season continues, Red Bull will be looking to learn from the Saudi Arabian GP and avoid similar penalties in future races. For now, they remain one of the top contenders, and with the team’s decision to move on from the Jeddah controversy, their sights are clearly set on championship success rather than
courtroom victories.
