Overview
- Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly collided at Turn 4 on the first lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, forcing both drivers to retire early.
- The crash triggered the sole safety car deployment of the race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, known for its narrow and challenging layout.
- FIA stewards reviewed the incident post-race and determined it to be a first-lap racing incident with no driver predominantly at fault, issuing no penalties.
- Both Tsunoda and Gasly expressed disappointment but denied responsibility, describing the contact as unavoidable given the track's tight confines.
- The incident highlights the intensity of opening-lap battles, with Max Verstappen also receiving a five-second penalty for a separate clash with Oscar Piastri.