FIA announce MAJOR Verstappen penalty at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Max Verstappen has been slammed with a penalty
Max Verstappen has been slammed with a 10-second penalty at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix following a dramatic first lap incident with Oscar Piastri.
The four-time world champion attempted to overtake Piastri at the first corner, however he clipped the McLaren which forced them both to spin.
F1 HEADLINES: FIA announce last-minute Hamilton change as investigation launched at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
READ MORE: Hamilton REMOVES Mercedes farewell tribute from car at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Verstappen and Piastri tumbled down the order, where the McLaren star also collided with Franco Colapinto.
As a result of the incident, Verstappen was awarded a 10-second time penalty for his move on Piastri.
The Australian also received a 10-second penalty after his collision with Colapinto, in what could prove to be a major blow to McLaren's constructors' championship chances.
Can Ferrari still win the constructors'?
Despite McLaren's early loss, Lando Norris remained in P1 which kept the constructors' title within touching distance for his team.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz was promoted to P2 and Charles Leclerc stormed through the field to join the fight at the front for Ferrari.
Verstappen received criticism for his early move on Piastri, with Sky Sports' Martin Brundle labelling it as unnecessary.
"It's so unfair of Max wasn't it. They are not in the championship. He's won his championship," Brundle said.
"To put such a risky move, I know it's the first lap of a Grand Prix, there was a gap, Piastri would he know he would lunge like that?
"It just wasn't necessary and hasn't done Verstappen any good either."
READ MORE: F1 champion calls for stewards to REVOKE controversial penalty at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
British Grand Prix Practice
F1 Results Today: Lewis Hamilton dominates at British Grand Prix as Ferrari beat Mercedes
F1 British Grand Prix
F1 Sprint Qualifying Today: British Grand Prix start time, TV channel and FREE live stream
F1 News & Gossip
Christian Horner set to 'return to F1 paddock at British Grand Prix'
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen to McLaren and why it makes sense as F1 insider admits 'now is the time'
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page