BBC F1 pundit hits out at Red Bull for Max Verstappen decision at Las Vegas GP

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BBC F1 pundit Jolyon Palmer has criticised Red Bull for how they handled the penalty Max Verstappen received at the Las Vegas GP for illegally overtaking Charles Leclerc.

The FIA stewards slapped Verstappen with a five-second time penalty for forcing Leclerc off track whilst passing the Ferrari driver. He left Leclerc no room on the outside of Turn 1 at the start of the Las Vegas GP while they fought for the lead. Verstappen also went off the circuit.

Leclerc had started the first Formula 1 event in Las Vegas since 1982 from pole position after topping qualifying. But despite fears over the grip on the dirty side of the grid, Verstappen’s launch propelled the 2023 champion into a position to attack the Ferrari into the first corner.

Verstappen received the basic penalty for illegally overtaking Leclerc

Yet the lack of grip available early on around the Las Vegas Strip Circuit bit when Verstappen reached T1. The Red Bull driver could not slow down fast enough to make the corner. But he also took Leclerc off track as Verstappen snatched the early lead through an illegal overtake.

The FIA stewards decided to award Verstappen a five-second penalty for the incident after Red Bull chose against advising he give the position back to Leclerc. The Dutchman was not ahead of the Ferrari driver at any stage of the corner. So, he had no right to retain the lead.

Palmer hit out at Red Bull’s handling of the penalty at the Las Vegas GP

Palmer believes Red Bull knew a time penalty would come Verstappen’s way, despite opting against telling him to let Leclerc back into the lead of the Las Vegas GP. The ex-Renault pilot further felt it was a ‘boring’ decision as he expected Verstappen to easily breeze away after.

“I think Red Bull knew that was going to come and they’ve taken the time trial option,” said Palmer on BBC Radio 5 Live. “They’ve taken the pragmatic approach. It’s a very, very boring approach for the Grand Prix.”

But Palmer’s pessimism about Leclerc’s challenge ultimately did not play out. Verstappen’s penalty left him running in P9 when Red Bull pitted the Dutchman on Lap 21. The 26-year-old then struggled at first to regain the positions he lost to drivers including Zhou Guanyu.

When Verstappen ultimately re-joined the battle for the lead, the challenge was between Leclerc and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. Only after a second safety car period and Red Bull stopping their two drivers for fresher tyres would Verstappen drive away from Leclerc.