Verstappen handed MASSIVE penalty for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix collision

Max Verstappen has been handed a huge 10-second penalty for a first corner incident at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion threw his Red Bull down the inside of Oscar Piastri's McLaren, but couldn't get fully alongside the papaya car and pitched them both into a spin.

READ MORE: Red Bull star retires from Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after DOUBLE crash

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'?

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: New FIA F1 chief sends new rule warning to drivers and teams

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