Max Verstappen confirms Red Bull penalty appeal decision

Red Bull will not protest the penalty handed down to Max Verstappen by the stewards at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Dutchman was judged by the officials to have left the track and gained a lasting advantage by taking to the run-off area on the outside of the first corner, whilst defending from Oscar Piastri on the first lap at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. What appeared a slam dunk penalty has been interpreted as a more contentious decision by the Milton Keynes squad. However, it will not contest the call. Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF after Verstappen finished second to Piastri, Helmut Marko explained that the team will not utilise the right of review process. The reason the 81-year-old gave for not doing so was a simple case of having no fresh evidence to present, a pre-requisite for having the stewards return to an already-made decision. "Theoretically you can file a protest, but then you have to provide new evidence," the Austrian stated. "New facts, in other words. And on the cameras you can actually see everything. Therefore, we see no reasons to file a protest." Max Verstappen reiterated that stance whilst speaking to Sky Sports F1 , saying: "Oh no, it’s not in my interest. The only thing that is in my interest is now looking forward to going home." The four-time F1 drivers' champion cut short his post-race interview with David Coulthard and provided limited answers when speaking to Sky Sports F1 .