Max Verstappen cuts short awkward Saudi Arabian GP interview after Oscar Piastri question

Verstappen’s Abrupt Interview Follows Saudi Arabian GP Incident

Formula One champion Max Verstappen faced an uneasy post-race interview with David Coulthard at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a controversial first-lap incident involving Oscar Piastri. The Red Bull Racing driver, starting from pole position, experienced a slow start on the less favorable side of the grid. Piastri, in his McLaren, reacted sharply, overtaking the reigning world champion as they approached the first corner.

First Lap Scuffle and Penalty

Verstappen pressed on, attempting to regain the lead around the outside, which resulted in him briefly leaving the track. While Piastri remained within the circuit boundaries, Verstappen cut across the run-off area to maintain his position at the front. Race stewards investigated the overtake and subsequently handed Verstappen a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track. This penalty allowed Piastri to take the lead during the pit stop phase, dictating the race tempo thereafter.

Tense Post-Race Exchange

Following the race, Verstappen engaged with Coulthard for the standard post-race interview. Asked about the Turn One clash, Verstappen displayed clear dissatisfaction.

“I’m going to keep this brief,” Verstappen stated curtly. “I want to express my gratitude to the incredible fans in Jeddah. It has been a fantastic weekend. I appreciate this circuit. As for everything else, it is what it is. I am already anticipating Miami, and I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Short Interview and Cool Down Room Silence

Typically, drivers respond to three or four questions in these initial post-race interviews, but Verstappen concluded his interaction after a single answer. He offered a forced smile to Coulthard before departing from the camera area.

vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.

The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.

The awkwardness extended into the cool down room, where Verstappen remained silent. He only participated in the conversation when directly addressed by Piastri and Charles Leclerc, who secured the final podium position for Ferrari, marking their first podium of the season.

Piastri’s Perspective on Turn One

Piastri shared his viewpoint on the incident, stating: “Once I positioned myself on the inside, there was no way I would exit Turn One in second place. I gave it my best effort. Naturally, the stewards intervened.

“However, I believed I had established sufficient distance. Ultimately, this played a role in securing our race result today. I am exceedingly pleased with the dedication we’ve put into our starts, and it proved decisive in achieving victory.”