Christian Horner disputes Max Verstappen penalty with 'photo evidence'

Christian Horner has provided what he feels is photographic evidence after Max Verstappen's five-second time penalty in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was the wrong decision.

Verstappen was beaten off pole to the Turn 1 apex by front-row partner Oscar Piastri, with the Red Bull cutting across the run-off but maintaining the position.

For this, Verstappen was handed a five-second time penalty, which ultimately cost him the race, as he finished 2.7s behind the Australian. 

Verstappen refused to discuss the incident in his post-race grid interview, with Red Bull boss Horner then supplying 'fresh evidence' in his traditional post-race media briefing.

"I thought it was very harsh, we didn't concede the position because we didn't believe that he'd done anything wrong," Horner told media including RacingNews365. 

"You can quite clearly see at the apex of the corner, we believe Max is ahead and under the rules of engagement they discussed previously, it was a very harsh decision.

"If we'd given it up, the problem is then that you run into the dirty air and drop back and then risk problems with George [Russell, in third place].

"So the best thing was at that point, to take the penalty, get your head down and keep going.

"What was a shame was that our pace versus the McLaren in the first stint was in good shape, and we had to serve the penalty on the same stint as Oscar.

"He finished 2.6s ahead, and without the penalty, it would have been a win, but there was always going to a difference of opinion over a very marginal decision like that.

"I can't see how they got to that conclusion, they both got in at the same speed, Oscar runs deep into the corner and Max can't just disappear.

"So perhaps these rules need a relook, and I just don't know what has happened to 'let them race on the first lap,' that just seems to have been abandoned."

Check out the image below!