Max Verstappen took a thinly veiled swipe at Formula One’s rulers with a near-vow of silence over the first corner incident that cost him victory in Saudi Arabia.
In a press conference of innuendo and riddles, the four-time world champion said he would not discuss the stewards’ decision to impose a five-second penalty on him for going off track and passing winner Oscar Piastri.
He said: ‘Turn One happened and suddenly it was lap 50. It’s all over super-fast.
‘I don’t want to say anything about it because anything it may get me into trouble.’
Verstappen, who finished second, was penalised for swearing last season by the FIA – ordered to do ‘community service’ in Rwanda. And with this apparently in mind, the Dutchman steered a careful line about whom he blamed for his reluctance to engage.
He said: ‘It has to do with social media and the way the world is. I’d prefer not to talk. Sometimes your words can be twisted or interpreted in a different way.
Max Verstappen expressed his frustration with F1’s rulers after the Saudi Arabian grand prix
Verstappen received a five-second penalty for going off track and passing Oscar Piastri
Piastri ended up winning the race, with Verstappen having to settle for second place
‘You can’t share your opinions because it’s not appreciated as it used to be. People can’t handle the truth. For me it is better if I don’t have to say too much because it saves me time. We already have to do too much (talking).
He then added: ‘I know I cannot swear in here. And you cannot be critical or anything that might harm or endanger (motorsport)… Or, let me get the (FIA) sheet out. There are a lot of lines in it, so that’s why it is better not to talk.’
Piastri, who takes the championship lead from fourth-placed Lando Norris, disagreed, saying: ‘I got a good launch and got alongside Max. I braked as late as I could to stay on track. The way it was dealt with was right.’