Verstappen’s radio message during the race clearly indicated that he had not approved the penalty he was given, but he was warned himself to follow his own thoughts.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, who felt the penalty was “very harsh” and asked rhetorically: “What happened when you let them race on the first lap? It just seems abandoned. ”
The Steward’s verdict included the answer to that – the usual penalty to get a lasting advantage off the track was 10 seconds, but reduced it to 5 since it was the first lap.
Verstappen was punished for cutting Chicane after the start and keeping the lead.
Piastri was completely together with him inside in the entry to the first corner. Nonetheless, Verstappen cut the second part of Chicane and held the lead.
F1 driving standards guidelines effectively state that in that situation the corner was Piastri’s.
They say that the driver must have a front axle, at least before and after the apex, along with the mirrors of other cars, to ensure that the room (his car) is considered entitled to be given.
Piastri comfortably adhered to all these standards.
He said: “The stewards had to get involved, but I thought I was far enough (together) enough, and in the end it led me to the race.
“I knew my car had enough cars to turn the corner. We obviously both braked very late. For me, I braked as late as possible while I was staying on the truck.
“The McLaren team’s principal, Andrea Stella, said: [was] He was able to slightly surpass Max and hold the car within the truck limits, and then he won the right (to the corner).
“This is a clear case. You shouldn’t really have a dispute.”
Verstappen led to the first pit stop, offered a penalty and fell behind the piastry.
It included Lewis Hamilton’s bold moves outside of Ferrari on approaching fast turns 22 and 23 at key points in the race, minimizing the loss of time at Lap Verstappen.
Verstappen showed a strong pace in the first stint closely tracked by McLaren, pulling a little away by the time Piastri was stopped on lap 19.
Upon entering the lead, Piastri controlled the race, but despite having the advantage of clean air, he was unable to extend the gap to Verstappen.
