BREAKING: Max Verstappen punished minutes into Saudi GP as Martin Brundle slams penalty

Max Verstappen was penalised at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after an incident with Oscar Piastri on the opening lap. Both shared the front row and were battling for the lead into the race after the lights went out and they hared down to the first corner.

Piastri got the better launch and seemed to poke the nose of his McLaren ahead of the . But Verstappen went off track to avoid a collision and exited the chicane still in the lead, much to the displeasure of his rival.

Over the radio, Piastri made it clear he was upset with Verstappen's actions and felt the Dutchman "had no intention of making that corner". But Verstappen claimed he had been pushed off the track and was unwilling to give the place up to the McLaren driver.

The incident went to the stewards and they eventually sided with Piastri. Verstappen was hit with a five-second time penalty which he had to serve in the pit lane when he first stopped for a change of tyres.

In commentary, Martin Brundle said it was a "fair cop" after re-watching footage of the incident. But his initial reaction to the penalty given to the Dutchman was to say that it may not have been enough of a punishment considering Verstappen still had the benefit of track position.

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The favourite said: "That still leaves him out front and in clean air. Let's forget which car it is and who's driving, that leaves that driver up front in clear air rather than giving the place back. You've either gained the place unfairly, or you haven't. I don't think that penalty does the job properly."

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