Max Verstappen found himself in the spotlight after a controversial incident with Oscar Piastri during the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver was handed a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Piastri on the opening lap, a decision that sparked criticism from Verstappen himself and left pundits like Martin Brundle and David Croft unimpressed.
Verstappen’s Collision with Piastri: A 10-Second Penalty
On the opening lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen attempted a bold move down the inside of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at Turn 1. However, the gap he had hoped for quickly closed, resulting in contact between the two cars. Both drivers spun out, dropping them down the field.
The stewards deemed Verstappen “wholly at fault” for the incident, as he never fully got alongside Piastri before the collision. As a result, the Dutchman was handed a 10-second time penalty, which he served when pitting for fresh tyres during the race.
Martin Brundle’s Take: A Lack of Fairness?
Former F1 driver Martin Brundle, known for his insightful commentary on Sky F1, expressed his displeasure with Verstappen’s reaction to the penalty. Brundle pointed out that while Piastri could have perhaps given Verstappen a little more room, Verstappen’s aggressive late lunge was unnecessary.
“I understand the emotions,” Brundle acknowledged, “but you don’t run into other people and then complain about the penalty. They’re applying the regulations, and that’s fair.”
Brundle criticized Verstappen’s frustration over the penalty, noting that it was a clear case of misjudgment on Verstappen’s part. “When you don’t go for a gap, you’re no longer a racing driver,” Brundle quoted, referencing the famous words of the late Ayrton Senna. However, he emphasized that Verstappen’s move was still a step too far, and he should have known better.
David Croft: Verstappen Needs to Show Maturity
David Croft, Brundle’s fellow pundit, also took issue with Verstappen’s comments. “When Max says he was ‘all the way up,’ he wasn’t,” Croft stated. Croft acknowledged that Verstappen was annoyed, but he pointed out that the four-time world champion should have been more composed, particularly since his actions did not impact his position in the championship.
“Come on, Max, you’re bigger than that, you’re better than that,” Croft said, urging Verstappen to show maturity in such situations.
Verstappen’s Apology: “I Didn’t Want to Crash”
Despite his initial frustration, Verstappen later admitted that his move was a misjudgment and took responsibility for the collision. “My launch was good, and then I tried to grab the inside, but the gap was closing,” Verstappen explained after the race. “I didn’t want to crash with Oscar, but unfortunately, we still clipped each other. I already apologized to him. It’s not what you want to happen.”
Verstappen acknowledged that he had been focusing on the car ahead of him and didn’t realize Piastri was closing the gap as much as he was. “I was trying to get out of it, but then we still clipped,” he added, expressing his regret over the incident.
Verstappen Faces Additional Penalty Points
In addition to the 10-second time penalty, Verstappen received two penalty points on his Super Licence for causing the collision. This brought his tally for a 12-month rolling period to eight points, getting him closer to a one-race ban.
Conclusion: A Controversial End to Verstappen’s Season
While Verstappen’s actions in the Abu Dhabi GP were penalized, his response to the penalty and the criticism from Brundle and Croft suggest a deeper issue. As one of the most successful drivers in recent F1 history, Verstappen’s temper and reaction to penalties may need more attention in future seasons. With a close eye on his conduct and the FIA’s regulations, Verstappen’s behavior and decision-making will be under the microscope as F1 heads into the 2025 season.
