Ecclestone doesn't understand Verstappen's reaction: 'Why didn't he do that instead?'

12:00, 23 Apr

byKada Sarkozi

Former Formula 1 executive Bernie Ecclestone sees that Max Verstappen should have given back the position to Oscar Piastri in Jeddah.

After the lights went out at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Piastri was alongside Verstappen already into Turn 1. The Dutchman decided to cut the corner instead, and keeping the lead.

For that, Verstappen received a five-second time penalty by the stewards. Eventually, Piastri won the race by 2.8 seconds ahead of the Dutchman.

Ecclestone: 'Why did Verstappen do this?'

Ecclestone sees that the situation could have been dealt with more easily, and without any controversy afterwards.

"It could have been avoided," the 94-year-old explained to Blick.

"Why didn't Max just give back the position immediately? Because making up five seconds under normal circumstances is usually difficult."

According to the Briton, Verstappen should have given the position back to the McLaren driver.

Instead, Verstappen held onto the lead, and served the five-second penalty during his one and only pit stop. Afterwards, he returned to the track behind Piastri, and could not catch up to the driver.

As a result, with his third victory of the season, Piastri now also leads the drivers' standings with 99 points. He has ten more points than his teammate, Lando Norris, and 12 more than the defending world champion.