Did Verstappen deserve more than a 5-second penalty in Jeddah?

Former F1 driver, FIA Steward turned pundit, Herbert also criticised Verstappen’s lack of celebration on the podium and praised Piastri’s growing stature as a title contender.

Speaking in the aftermath of Sunday’s dramatic Grand Prix in Jeddah, Herbert was clear in his verdict on the first-lap incident between Verstappen and Piastri: “Max Verstappen’s incident with Oscar Piastri on Turn 1 was a penalty. These are the best drivers in the world, they have the best judgement and the best awareness… if you completely go off track, then it’s a ten-second penalty.

“A five-second penalty was applied and I’m not a fan of this, especially if you take the lead like Verstappen did – you can potentially gain that five seconds back quite easily. If you can gain the time back by not giving the place back, then what’s the point in a penalty?”

Herbert added that Verstappen overshot the corner by releasing the brakes and should have conceded the place to Piastri: “Max overshot the corner by releasing the brakes, to try to beat Oscar into Turn 1. The apex of the turn was not where Verstappen was – he was two metres out.

"It was Piastri’s corner and Max should have slipped behind him. James Hunt once told me: ‘Sometimes it’s better to concede the corner if the corner is lost.’ That’s exactly what happened.”

Herbert dismissed Christian Horner’s attempts to defend Verstappen’s move as laughable: “Horner came up with a picture to show who was in front in Turn 1, which was a load of baloney. Red Bull had a chance to give the place back, but they chose not to.

“Kimi Antonelli did something very similar with Leclerc, same corner, same lap – but he gave the position back. If Verstappen had done the same, he probably would have still won the race.”

Hervert criticised the inconsistency of penalties applied on the opening lap: “I’m not a fan of this rule that makes Turn 1 offences less punishable. It should always be a ten-second penalty – if you move the rules around, it opens a can of worms.”

The Briton also took aim at Verstappen’s demeanour after the race: “I saw Max drink the champagne and not really celebrate Oscar or Charles. It comes across as unprofessional and disrespectful, from a four-time world champion. You have to be gracious in defeat sometimes.

“People arguing against the penalty probably haven’t been in a race car, definitely not an F1 car – and I’d include Horner in that. Sometimes, you’ve just got to admit you’re wrong and give the place back." he reckoned.

Herbert was full of praise for Saudi Grand Prix race-winner Piastri, who held off Verstappen despite the Dutchman’s late charge: “Oscar has shown he can outwit Max. His mental strength, his speed, his consistency and his racecraft have been really impressive this season. He’s calm on the radio, presents himself well, and he’s doing the job needed to win this year’s championship.”

He compared Piastri’s composure to Verstappen’s and hinted that McLaren’s internal support may be shifting in the Australian’s favour: “Mark Webber has done a brilliant job managing him. They have a great understanding, and it looks like McLaren might be siding with Piastri a bit more.

“Norris is sadly making too many mistakes. Qualifying in Saudi Arabia was one example. He is fast, but pressure affects everyone differently. Piastri only made a big mistake in Melbourne, and that was down to unlucky timing with the rain.”

While acknowledging Norris’s recovery from tenth to fourth as a “great drive,” Herbert warned that inconsistency could derail a title campaign: “These are the mistakes that can cost you in the championship fight. As we learned last season, you have to start strong to have the best shot at winning the title.”