Max Verstappen says he has refused to give his opinion on the controversial incident at the race, due to the way others respond to his comments after winning a penalty at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The steward gave Verstappen a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining advantage at the turn 1 exit. The defending champion refused to provide the case and the penalty itself in the incident and post-race interview.
“It has to do with social media in general and how the world is,” Verstappen said. “I don’t like to talk too much because it’s easier to twist your words or people interpret them in different ways. I’m more honest than to say them too much.
“It’s the world we live in. It’s obviously not appreciated or you can’t share your opinion because people can’t handle the perfect truth. Honestly, if I don’t say too much, it saves my time because I have to save my time.
“To be honest, it’s about how everything is going to be. Everyone is very sensitive about everything, and what we have right now is not critical anyway.
Verstappen expanded on his own uncriticality, referring to the FIA International Sports Code and how drivers can be punished for fraud.
“I know I can’t swear here, but at the same time, you can’t be critical in any way that could be “harm” or “dangerous”… please leave the sheet. There are many lines. So you know?
Verstappen had previously been ordered to accomplish public interest jobs to take the swearing at the FIA press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix last year, and after that punishment, he limited his answer in such circumstances.
The penalty received in the Netherlands was reduced from standard 10 seconds to five seconds by the stewards as they felt that the facts that occurred at the first corner of the opening lap were relaxed, but Red Bull team principal Christian Horner described it as “very tough” to protect the race after the driver.