Max Verstappen received a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage at the opening corners of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver made a good start from pole position; however, it was matched by Oscar Piastri alongside him. Piastri had the advantage going into the first corner at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Verstappen having opted to cut across the chicane at the opening two corners to remain in the lead. Verstappen insisted that he had been forced off the circuit by the Piastri, although that is not how the incident was viewed by the stewards. His penalty will be served at his first pit-stop at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and is set to cost him the race lead, with Piastri just one-second adrift after nine laps.
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