‘I’m not sure’…Martin Brundle gives verdict on whether Max Verstappen penalty was strong enough

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Martin Brundle has given his verdict on whether the penalty Max Verstappen received for his overtake on Charles Leclerc was fair at the start of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Brundle was commentating on the race for Sky Sports F1 as an action-packed race got underway.

Charles Leclerc hasn’t had much luck when it comes to his race starts this season.

Just two weeks ago in Interlagos, he didn’t even reach the grid after a technical fault saw him crash out on the formation lap.

Although the run down to turn one is particularly short, Max Verstappen got a better launch than his rival.

He poked his nose down the inside and took the lead, although both drivers went off the track as a result.

It took the stewards eight laps to finally decide that Verstappen’s overtake was unfair.

However, he was only given a five-second penalty despite Leclerc’s immediate calls for him to give the place back.

Martin Brundle shared on commentary whether Verstappen’s penalty was fair as he maintained the lead at the time in Las Vegas.

Leclerc wasn’t going to settle for second place and looked after his tyres better in the first stint.

However, the drama wasn’t over there and a safety car in the middle of the race changed the whole complexion of the Grand Prix.

Brundle gives verdict on Verstappen penalty in Las Vegas

Sharing how he felt about the penalty on commentary, Brundle said: “If they have decided he has done something wrong, I’m not sure that’s a stiff enough penalty.”

He then added further on in the race: “It’s sort of half a penalty isn’t it? We think you actually were a bad boy in the first corner, but as you were, carry on.

“We’ll see, a five-second penalty might still hurt him.”

As it turned out, the penalty was largely inconsequential.

The Dutchman served the penalty at his first pit stop before being involved in the incident that brought out the safety car once again.

Verstappen then tried an opportunistic move on George Russell who didn’t spot him and the resulting contact caused debris to be spread all over the track.

Brundle’s verdict on Verstappen’s penalty will be shared by many watching on in Las Vegas.

It didn’t feel like a strong enough punishment at the time and ultimately made no difference to the race result.

Sergio Perez had the chance to finally end his wait for a race win, but Leclerc caught him off guard, allowing Verstappen back into the race.

And once the 26-year-old was given that chance, he was always going to take it even if he’s made his feelings clear about this weekend’s event.