Damon Hill Calls for Harsher Penalty for Max Verstappen, Arguing That the Outcome Affects Not Just One Race Weekend but the Future of Formula 1 — Verstappen Responds with Unbothered Composure on the Podium

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix produced plenty of talking points with the most controversial incident taking place heading into the first corner.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is well known for mastering the art of the F1 race start.

Lando Norris was frequently caught out by Verstappen last season when they shared the front row of the grid, but on this occasion, it was his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri who did the damage.

Verstappen’s Red Bull produced a decent but not spectacular getaway, and by the time he and Piastri reached the first corner, the Australian was marginally ahead.

Position
Drivers’ Championship
Points

1

Oscar Piastri

99

2

Lando Norris

89

3

Max Verstappen

87

4

George Russell

73

5

Charles Leclerc

47

6

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

38

7

Lewis Hamilton

31

8

Alexander Albon

20

9

Esteban Ocon

14

10

Lance Stroll

10

The 27-year-old let his foot off the brake, something he’s notorious for in these tight battles, before taking to the run-off area and maintaining the lead, despite cutting turn two.

Verstappen was handed a five-second time penalty, although his team principal Christian Horner didn’t believe that was justified, arguing that Piastri didn’t give his driver enough space.

The stewards disagreed with that notion, and Piastri jumped Verstappen during the only round of pit stops, winning the race by just under three seconds.

Damon Hill says people will ‘disagree’ with his Max Verstappen take

Martin Brundle agreed that Verstappen’s punishment wasn’t harsh enough, citing the fact that by not giving the place back, he enjoyed the benefit of driving in clear air for the entirety of the first stint.

This cost Piastri a couple of seconds, as his tyres went off quicker than he would have liked, although that didn’t ultimately make much of a difference.

Taking to X after the race, 1996 world champion Damon Hill said, “Ed Straw on Verstappen first corner move, “I don’t see how racing works if that move is allowed to happen.” I agree. No doubt others disagree.”

It’s not the first time Hill has commented on the 27-year-old’s racing style.

Hill wasn’t impressed by Verstappen’s moves on Norris in Mexico City last season, where the stewards ultimately gave the Red Bull driver two separate penalties.

There were several other incidents throughout last year involving the Dutchman, with Hill giving his verdict on Verstappen’s collision with Norris in Austria, that led to the McLaren driver having to retire from the race after sustaining too much damage to continue.

Damon Hill’s four-word verdict on Oscar Piastri winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Piastri now has three Grand Prix victories in the first five races, and has now matched Norris’ career tally of race wins in less than half the number of events.

He’s now level with the likes of 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg, the criminally underrated John Watson and Formula 1’s first championship winner Giuseppe Farina.

DRIVER
NATION
BEST RANK

Giuseppe Farina
Italy
1st (1950)

Clay Regazzoni
Switzerland
2nd (1974)

John Watson
Great Britain
3rd (1982)

Michele Alboreto
Italy
2nd (1985)

Keke Rosberg
Finland
1st (1982)

Lando Norris
Great Britain
2nd (2024)

Oscar Piastri
Australia
4th (2024)

Posting on Instagram after the race in response to a post about Piastri becoming the new championship leader, Hill said, “Softly softly catchy monkey.”

Piastri is unlikely to be a champion in the same mould as Verstappen, who alongside being the quickest driver on the grid, was brash and bold in the driving style to get to the front of the pack.

The Australian appears to be far more measured, but as his move on Lewis Hamilton after his pit stop proved, he’s also capable of producing extraordinary moments as well.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix may have come and gone, but the ripple effects from Max Verstappen’s controversial first-corner move are still echoing across the paddock. The latest voice to enter the fray? None other than 1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill, who took to social media to make it clear: the penalty given to Verstappen was, in his view, far too lenient.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hill referenced a comment by F1 journalist Ed Straw regarding Verstappen’s aggressive maneuver at Turn 1. “I don’t see how racing works if that move is allowed to happen,” Straw remarked. Hill firmly added: “I agree. No doubt others disagree.”

The incident in question saw Verstappen take to the runoff area while defending his position, ultimately gaining track advantage without giving the place back. Although stewards investigated and handed out a small time penalty, many — including Hill and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle — felt it didn’t reflect the true sporting implications.

Brundle specifically noted that Verstappen benefited from “driving in clean air” for the entirety of the first stint, a luxury that cost Oscar Piastri valuable seconds due to increased tire degradation. While the time loss didn’t drastically change the final outcome for the McLaren driver, critics argue that the principle — and precedent — matter far more than the math.

For Damon Hill, the issue goes beyond one race. “This isn’t just about Saudi Arabia,” a source close to the former champion said. “It’s about what kind of racing we’re endorsing for the next generation. If you reward aggression without consequence, the sport’s integrity suffers.”

But as the media storm built up, Verstappen himself remained characteristically cool. On the podium, flanked by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez, the Dutchman wore a calm smile, brushed off the controversy in his post-race interview, and offered a typically terse response when asked about Hill’s comments: “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I focus on the racing.”

That understated reply is already being interpreted in multiple ways — some calling it classy, others calling it dismissive. Regardless, it’s clear Verstappen isn’t losing sleep over criticism.

Still, this debate is unlikely to vanish soon. As the sport continues to grapple with how to balance hard racing and fair play, voices like Hill’s may carry increasing weight. After all, when a world champion questions the direction of Formula 1, it’s hard not to listen.

The next few races will be telling — not just for Verstappen’s title campaign, but for how the FIA responds to mounting pressure to define the boundaries of acceptable aggression on track. One thing’s certain: the spotlight is firmly back on the stewards.

And Max Verstappen? He’s already one step ahead — on the podium, champagne in hand, looking as unfazed as ever.