FIA Confirms Deleted Laps for Hamilton and Verstappen During Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The FIA has officially confirmed that several drivers, including top contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, had lap times deleted during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to exceeding track limits. The high-speed street circuit at Jeddah Corniche once again presented challenges for drivers as they pushed the limits around the tight, fast corners — and not all of them stayed within the designated track boundaries.
One of the most talked-about incidents from the race occurred right at the start when Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who began the race from pole position, was penalized for cutting a corner. In his attempt to fend off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Verstappen ran wide and rejoined the track while still ahead of the Australian. The stewards quickly investigated the maneuver and concluded that Verstappen had gained an unfair advantage by going off the racing line. As a result, he was handed a five-second time penalty.
In addition to the in-race penalty, the FIA also confirmed that Verstappen’s lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits. The deleted lap was recorded early in the race and was part of a broader issue that saw multiple drivers penalized similarly. According to the FIA’s official post-race documentation, Verstappen, Hamilton, Lando Norris, and seven other drivers had lap times deleted during the event for various track limit violations.
While these infractions may not have significantly altered the overall race results for most drivers, Verstappen’s penalty was more consequential. The five-second penalty compromised his strategy, particularly during pit stops. He dropped behind Piastri after serving the penalty during his stop, which ultimately denied him a shot at victory. Although Verstappen managed to recover and finish second, just ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the frustration was evident. Over team radio, Verstappen voiced his annoyance to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, sarcastically remarking, “Well that is f****** lovely,” in reaction to the stewards’ ruling.
Despite the setback, Verstappen’s runner-up finish meant he walked away from Jeddah with a solid haul of points. However, he now sits third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, 12 points adrift of the leader, Oscar Piastri. The young McLaren driver has been in exceptional form, and his consistent performance is starting to position him as a serious championship contender. Piastri’s composed drive in Saudi Arabia not only earned him the win but also showcased his ability to challenge more experienced drivers like Verstappen on equal footing.
For Hamilton, the lap deletion was one of several signs that the seven-time world champion is still struggling to extract full performance from his Mercedes. His pace was inconsistent, and while the deleted lap didn’t result in a time penalty, it reflects ongoing issues with track positioning and balance that have plagued Mercedes since the beginning of the season.
Lando Norris also had a lap time deleted during the race, though like Hamilton, the infraction did not significantly impact his final position. The broader implication of multiple drivers being caught out by track limits suggests that the Jeddah Corniche Circuit continues to challenge drivers with its narrow layout and fast-flowing corners, where even a minor misjudgment can lead to penalties.
Track limit enforcement has been a hot topic in Formula 1 in recent seasons, and this race reignited the debate. While some fans and commentators argue that strict enforcement ensures fair competition, others believe the penalties can be overly harsh and inconsistent, particularly when applied to racing incidents in the heat of battle.
In this case, the FIA has stood firm on its stance, emphasizing that all drivers are briefed on track limits ahead of each race weekend and that consistency in enforcing the rules is key to maintaining fairness across the grid.
Looking ahead, Verstappen will no doubt be motivated to bounce back at the next Grand Prix as he chases his first win of the season. Meanwhile, the momentum is clearly with McLaren and Piastri, who are proving that they’re ready to challenge the established order in 2025. Hamilton and Mercedes will be looking for answers as they continue their quest to return to winning ways in what has been a challenging campaign so far.
As the championship battle heats up, every deleted lap and penalty becomes that much more significant — and in Jeddah, it just might have been the difference between first and second place.
