Ralf Schumacher offers unusual solution for Max Verstappen in Jeddah penalty incident

Ralf Schumacher has forwarded an seldom-considered way Max Verstappen could have avoided being penalised at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Former F1 driver-turned-pundit believes the real nexus of the Dutchman's punishment was not him leaving the track and retaining the lead when Oscar Piastri attacked into the first corner at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Instead, he has suggested it was because made ground on the McLaren driver after rejoining the track, something that fits with the "gained a lasting advantage" description of the penalty.

"In my eyes, and you will have to verify this with the stewards, the cutting off itself was not the biggest problem," Schumacher said on Backstage Boxengasse, Sky Sports Germany's F1 podcast.

"However, he took it in his stride and managed to gain at least two car lengths. He simply accelerated and took advantage of that.

"I think that was the real cause of the penalty," the 49-year-old continued. "He grabbed an advantage. If he had held back a little bit, they might have sat side by side in the next corner and because of that, he might have gotten away with it."

Verstappen penalty was fair - Schumacher

The former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver highlighted that Piastri not leaving any room on the exit of the corner could have been costly for both drivers.

Nonetheless, he maintained the penalty handed down to Verstappen was a fair ruling, as it will prevent others from doing similar in the future.

"One thing is also very clear, Piastri did not give him any space, so it could just as easily have resulted in a crash," the six-time grand prix winner said. 

"But Verstappen simply got on the gas too early and thus the penalty is justified. If not, this [cutting off] becomes the norm for the future, that while Piastri simply had the better start in this case."