Verstappen: Can't share my opinion because I might get penalised

Verstappen had started from pole but ran off the track at the first corner under pressure from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Although he retained the lead, stewards ruled that he had gained a lasting advantage off-track and handed him a five-second penalty. That decision ultimately helped Piastri secure his third Formula 1 victory of the season.

During Sunday's race, Verstappen told his Red Bull team over the radio that he believed Piastri had forced him off the track. However, the four-time world champion repeatedly declined to elaborate in both his televised interview and the post-race press conference.

Verstappen explained: “The start happened, Turn 1 happened, and suddenly it was lap 50 [the last lap]. It just all went super fast. The problem is that I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalised also, you know, so it’s better not to speak about it.”

Verstappen indicated he was remaining silent due to potential “trouble” with the sport’s governing body and the risk that “sometimes your words can be twisted.”

“I think it’s just the world we live in. You can’t share fully your opinion because it’s not appreciated, apparently, or people can’t handle the full truth," the Dutch ace added.

It is not the first time Verstappen has refused to comment on controversial incidents. At last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, he kept his answers brief following a punishment for swearing from the FIA.

Since then, the FIA has tightened its rules on driver conduct, introducing stricter penalties for misconduct, including large fines or even suspensions. While the focus has largely been on swearing, the rules also cover statements deemed to cause “moral injury or loss” to the FIA or its representatives.

Verstappen explained his trepidation: “I know that I cannot swear in here, but at the same time, you can also not be critical in any kind of form that might harm or endanger or… Let me get the sheet out, there’s a lot of lines. That’s why it’s better not to talk about it, because you can put yourself in trouble.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner called the penalty “a very harsh decision.”

Despite the frustration, Verstappen’s second place in Jeddah marked a strong recovery after a difficult sixth-place finish in Bahrain. Red Bull’s lack of pace in the season opener has already prompted speculation that Verstappen could seek to leave the team if it fails to deliver a car capable of consistently fighting for the title.