Overview

• Max Verstappen received a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage during the first lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
• The stewards reduced the penalty from the standard 10 seconds, citing first-lap mitigating circumstances.
• Red Bull chose not to return the position to Oscar Piastri during the race, believing Verstappen was forced off track and ahead at the apex.
• The FIA clarified that relinquishing the advantage within a lap could have voided the penalty, but Red Bull declined this option.
• On April 22, Red Bull formally ruled out filing a right-of-review appeal, solidifying the penalty's impact on the race outcome.