FIA stewards explain crucial reason for Max Verstappen punishment

The FIA stewards have explained the reason for Max Verstappen's five-second time penalty in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

Verstappen started the race from pole position but found Oscar Piastri on his inside as they entered the first corner. 

The Red Bull driver failed to make the turn and cut across the inside of Turn 2, before rejoining the circuit still in the lead. 

He insisted Piastri forced him off the circuit; however, the stewards judged Verstappen as having left the circuit and gained an advantage. 

As a result, a five-second time penalty was awarded to the reigning world champion, which cost him the victory as Piastri passed the Dutchman when he served his punishment.

After the race, the stewards' explained that Verstappen was punished due to the first corner being judged as Piastri's, with the Australian having been alongside and on the inside.

Interestingly, the FIA also revealed that Verstappen's antics would normally have resulted in a 10-second time penalty, although it took a less strict look as it was the opening lap.

The stewards' report read: "The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry and in-car video evidence and determined that car 81 had its front axle at least alongside the mirror of Car 1 prior to and at the apex of corner 1 when trying to overtake Car 1 on the inside. 

"In fact, Car 81 was alongside Car 1 at the apex.  Based on the Driver’s Standards Guidelines, it was therefore Car 81’s corner and he was entitled to be given room.  Car 1 then left the track and gained a lasting advantage that was not given back. 

"He stayed in front of Car 81 and sought to build on the advantage. Ordinarily, the baseline penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage is 10 seconds. 

"However, given that this was lap one and turn one incident, we considered that to be a mitigating circumstance and imposed a 5 second time penalty instead."