Max Verstappen cuts short F1 interview after penalty drama

Max Verstappen cut short his post-race parc fermé interview after receiving a penalty at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

The Red Bull driver started from pole position but cut the first two corners, insisting that eventual race winner Oscar Piastri left him no room. 

Verstappen received a five-second time penalty for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage after rejoining the circuit still in the lead. 

He lost the lead to Piastri when serving his penalty at his pit stop, infuriating the four-time world champion who ended up finishing in second. 

When immediately asked for his thoughts on the incident after the race, Verstappen opted not to answer and cut his interview short. 

"Yeah, I'm going to keep it quite short," stated Verstappen. "I just want to say a big thank you to the fans here in Jeddah. 

"It's been a great weekend. I love the track. And yeah, the rest is what it is. I'm looking forward to Miami, so I'll see you there."

Had Verstappen won the race, the 27-year-old would have gained the lead of the F1 drivers' title; instead, he has fallen to third in the standings.