believes was “unprofessional and disrespectful” on the Saudi Arabian GP podium after ending second to Oscar Piastri on Sunday.
Former race winner Herbert added that Verstappen ought to have been given a 10-second penalty for theat flip one on lap one with Piastri, as a substitute of a five-second penalty.
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Pole-sitter Verstappen got here out second greatest with McLaren’s Piastri in Jeddah and was clearly irritated by the penalty given to him, on the subject from David Coulthard on the grid after the race.
Within the customary podium celebrations afterwards, Verstappen didn’t spray champagne within the standard method with Piastri and third-placed driver Leclerc – one thing Herbert picked up on.
“I noticed Max Verstappen drink the champagne on the rostrum and did not actually have fun [with] Oscar or Charles – it comes throughout as unprofessional and disrespectful, from a four-time world champion,” Herbert stated.
“It’s important to be gracious in defeat typically. I do not know the way folks will argue that it was an unfair penalty.
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“The folks arguing in opposition to it have most likely by no means been in a race automotive, and undoubtedly not in an F1 automotive, in order that they have zero understanding. I will embody on this, too.
“I do know he is the crew principal and he is attempting to do what’s greatest for , however typically it’s important to simply admit you are flawed and provides the place again. Most drivers are very conscious of when they need to give the place again.”
Purple Bull boss Horner argued after the race, through nonetheless pictures from Verstappen’s onboard digital camera, that his driver was “forward on the apex” and shouldn’t have been penalised.
“It was a particular penalty, as a result of if you go into any nook, particularly a good one like that, you have to be on the apex close to the curb,” Herbert added, in partnership with . “The apex of the flip was not the place Verstappen was, who was two metres out.
Max Verstappen was ‘disrespectful’ on the F1 podium in Saudi Arabia, says Johnny Herbert (Getty Pictures)
Verstappen completed second to Oscar Piastri in Jeddah (Getty Pictures)
“Horner then got here up with the image of proof to point out who was in entrance in flip one, which was a load of baloney, however to me, it was passing the buck to the FIA and the stewards.
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“It is flawed, it should not be like that. Purple Bull had an opportunity to present the place again however they selected to not.”
Purple Bull, finally, determined to not formally enchantment the penalty afterwards.
Herbert additionally believes Verstappen ought to have been given a 10-second penalty as a substitute of 5 seconds (Getty Pictures)
Herbert was in January after being criticised by Verstappen’s dad, Jos, for commenting on the Dutchman’s driving model as a media pundit, alongside being an official.
Herbert was crucial of Verstappen’s driving model in Mexico final yr, when the previous British driver was a part of the stewarding panel who dished out a 20-second penalty to the Purple Bull driver. This incident prompted Jos to rebuke: “I feel a steward shouldn’t discuss to the press in any respect.”
Herbert, 60, was then dropped by the FIA previous to the 2025 season as a result of “incompatibility” of his twin function.
The subsequent race of the 2025 season is the Miami Grand Prix (2-4 Might).
