The Red Bull driver finished second on the road to Hamilton in a bad-tempered race on the Jeddah street circuit, which was driven twice with the red flag track.
He was also summoned by stewards for an alleged violation of the FIA’s International Sports Code over an incident involving Hamilton at Turn 27 when the Mercedes driver alleged that Verstappen put him on the brakes.
Verstappen had been instructed by his team to let Hamilton through after running far in Turn 1 to fend off Hamilton’s DRS-assisted move when he suddenly slowed down on the back straight into the last corner and ran into Hamilton in the back.
After staying in front of Hamilton after this contact, he then obeyed orders to let the Mercedes pass into the last corner before immediately plunging back inside.
The Dutchman then received a five-second penalty and when his medium-sized tires began to wear out, Hamilton’s hard-hitting machine passed him.
Verstappen had previously been directed to relinquish positions to Esteban Ocon and Hamilton for the second restart after Sergio Perez caused a pile-up from Sergio Perez’s mid-pack spin after going over the run-off at Turn 1 to to stay in front of Hamilton.
Verstappen was named driver of the day and vented his displeasure with the course of the race in an interview immediately after crossing the finish line.
“Fortunately, the fans have a very clear idea of racing because what happened today is incredible,” he said.
“I’m just trying to race and this sport is more about penalties than racing these days.
“It’s not Formula 1 for me, but at least the fans liked it.
“I gave everything today, but clearly not fast enough. But still satisfied with the second.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
In a conversation with the media after the race, Verstappen confirmed that he did not agree with the decisions of the race management.
“A lot of things have happened that I don’t entirely agree with, but it is what it is,” he said. “I mean, at least I tried on the track, you know, to give it my all.”
When asked directly about the encounter with Hamilton, for which he was called to the stewards, Verstappen said: “I slowed down.
“I wanted to let him pass, so I’m on the right, but he didn’t want to overtake and then we touched.
“I don’t really understand what happened there.”
Verstappen and Hamilton are currently on the way to the Abu Dhabi championship decision next weekend with 369.5 points, with the Red Bull driver leading the countback.
The post “F1 more about penalties than racing” after Saudi controversy first appeared on monter-une-startup.
