OSCAR PIASTRI powered home to win the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and top the Drivers’ Championship.Max Verstappen secured second after his penalty, while Charles Leclerc held off Lando Norris to claim Ferrari’s first Sunday podium of the season.The race started in shocking circumstances, with Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly crashing out.Start time: 6pm BSTTV channel: Sky Sports F1TV/Stream: NOW/Sky Sports appCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…That’s all from usThank you for tuning in for SunSport’s coverage of the F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.You can keep up with all the major news from the world of motorsport by clicking here, or if you want to check out what’s happening in the rest of the crazy world of sport, click here.Copy linkCopied’I’m not happy’ – Hamilton reacts to P7 finish”P7 is not the end of the world but there’s tons of time that I’m just not extracting. “It’s not good enough but I am working really really hard at it. “I just got to keep on taking a deep breath. “I know that the fans aren’t happy, I’m sure the team aren’t happy, I know the bosses aren’t happy, and I’m not happy with my results either. “But all I can continue to do is try to continue to believe in myself, stay positive, and keep working at it. “And that’s what I’m trying to do.”Copy linkCopiedHorner tension in presser over Verstappen penaltyChristian Horner showed up to his media session with a screenshot of Verstappen’s attempt to stick around the outside of Piastri at Turn 1.As reported by Thomas Maher, Horner is arguing he felt the penalty applied was a little harsh.Fellow reporter Chris Medland has shared a photo of the Horner evidence, which he believes shows how Verstappen was ahead of Piastri.He adds how a rival team boss not from McLaren told Horner to “let it go, he was never making that corner”.Comes after the FIA released their statement explaining the reason for the applied penalty.Copy linkCopied’It’s better not to talk about it’ – Verstappen reveals penalty fears for voicing opinion on Piastri incidentMAX VERSTAPPEN feels he is being gagged by the FIA as the four-time world champion says “people cannot handle the truth”.The Dutch Red Bull driver was left frustrated after being slapped with a five-second penalty for illegally going off the track in a battle with Oscar Piastri on the first-lap.This cost Verstappen, who finished in second, and he slammed the punishment as “f***ing lovely” on his team radio and walked off after a blunt post-race interview.When asked about the penalty he said: “I can’t share my opinion otherwise I might get penalised so better not to speak about it.“The world we live in you can’t share your opinion fully apparently or people can’t handle the full truth.“For me it’s better. I don’t need to say too much, it also saves my time. We already have to do too much, it’s how everything is becoming.“Everyone is super sensitive about everything. Of course what we have currently we cannot be critical anyway that’s fine, less talking is even better for me.When asked if his anger was directed at the FIA’s swearing rules, he said: “I know I cannot swear in here but at the same time you can also not be critical,“Or any kind of form that might harm or danger, let me get the sheet out…“There’s a lot of lines, that’s why it’s better not to talk about it or you can get yourself in trouble and I don’t think anyone wants that.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedWhat’s next?We now have a two-week break before the next F1 race.Race six will come on May 4 in Miami as the first of three races in the United States this season.It is also the second Sprint Race of the season, following on from China.Lando Norris won that race last year, and will be hoping he can repeat that this year to help him close the gap in the Drivers’ Standings.After Miami, there is another gap before the triple-header of Imola, Monaco and Spain.Copy linkCopiedBREAKING: FIA release statement on Verstappen penaltyThe FIA have released their statement and explained the reason for the ten-second penalty handed to Verstappen.The penalty was reduced from the normal baseline of 10 seconds to half of that because of the “mitigating circumstance” of it being a Lap 1, Turn 1 incident.The statement said: “The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry and in-car video evidence and determined that car 81 had its front axle at least alongside the mirror of Car 1 prior to and at the apex of corner 1 when trying to overtake Car 1 on the inside. “In fact, Car 81 was alongside Car 1 at the apex. Based on the Driver’s Standards Guidelines, it was therefore Car 81’s corner and hewas entitled to be given room.”Car 1 then left the track and gained a lasting advantage that was not given back. He stayed in front of Car 81 and sought to build on the advantage.”Ordinarily, the baseline penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage is 10 seconds.”However, given that this was lap one and turn one incident, we considered that to be a mitigating circumstance and imposed a 5 second time penalty instead.”Copy linkCopied‘You fired me’ – Martin Brundle in awkward reunion with former boss at Saudi Arabian Grand PrixMartin Brundle endured an awkward reunion with an old boss at the Saudi Grand Prix.The Sky Sports reporter bumped into Alpine’s Flavio Briatore before the start of the race.Brundle used to race for the Italian businessman at the Benetton team for the 1992 F1 season.He was the team-mate of F1 legend Michael Schumacher but was sacked in 1993.And the former driver was quick to remind the Alpine executive advisor of their awkward past.Copy linkCopied’Just a racing incident’ – Tsunoda on Gasly collisionTsunoda told the official F1 channel: “I don’t know what I should have done. I was behind Sainz, I was fully in control in terms of speed.”I was not like nearly crashing into Carlos in front. So it’s hard to justify which is wrong or better.”In contrast to Gasly, the Red Bull driver said his rival did not leave him enough space, but considered the collision “just a racing incident.”He added: “I don’t think I could have done better than that, to be honest.”I tried my best to avoid him as much as I can, but also in that kind of space, it’s really hard to avoid. I don’t know what can I do other than that, to be honest.“We kind of knew, each other, I mean, if you try to go outside from there, other than if he goes half of the car, at least on the white line, it would [have been a] collision. So it was a shame.”Copy linkCopied’I left him room’ – Gasly on Lap 1 crash with TsunodaPierre Gasly has broken his silence after crashing out of the race on Lap 1.The duo tangled at the start with Tsunoda clipping the rear left tyre of Gasly as they went through a tight turn.Gasly was instantly out of the race and prompted a safety car, while Tsunoda limped back to the pits before he too was forced to retire.But the Alpine driver believes he gave his Red Bull rival, also his former team-mate enough room.He said: “I think I had a good run in Turn 4, managed to get good braking and get ahead of him. “I was aware he was on the inside so I left as much space as I could on the exit of the corner.“I had already two wheels off the track, I had to keep my inside wheels obviously inside the white line to make the move past. “But unfortunately there was this touch and it just sent my car spinning.”Copy linkCopiedPodium in picturesHere’s a look at the podium sitters today, including race winner Piastri.Credit: EPACredit: AFPCredit: AFPCopy linkCopiedTense cooldown roomThere was tension in the cooldown room after the controversial penalty handed to Verstappen, which ultimately decided the race.Watch below.Copy linkCopied’I didn’t feel comfortable’ – Hamilton on Ferrari resultTold Sky Sports: “There wasn’t one second [I felt comfortable].”The car is capable of being P3. “Charles did a great job today.”Copy linkCopiedPiastri cheeky social media messagePiastri had a cheeky social media message after asking for a couch following his race win in Saudi Arabia.Credit: @oscarpiastri/InstagramCredit: @oscarpiastri/Instagram
Copy linkCopiedSaudi Arabia Driver of the dayMax Verstappen has been voted as the Driver of the Day by F1 fans.Copy linkCopied’My only interest is going home’ – Verstappen on penaltyVerstappen told Sky Sports: “To be honest, I think any words towards that is just a waste of time for everyone.”We talked about it a lot and last year and this year are a different kind of rules, so that’s also a problem.”This is not my problem to be honest, I think the positive is we had decent pace in the race, I was much happier on the medium [tyre] as well.”I did not expect the pace in the car but it did show that the changes we’ve made in the car from Friday to Saturday definitely helped a lot on the tyre wear as well.””What rules have changed? Let’s get the paperwork, it’s all written down.”Will we appeal? It’s not in my interest. My only interest is going home.”Copy linkCopiedChristian Horner on Verstappen penaltyTold Sky Sports: “We that discussion before the race with the directors.”We have the notion of let them race but I’m not sure where Max is supposed to go.”On a positive note we showed good pace.”Max was trying to get the gap but it wasn’t to be.”We’re only 12 points off the championship and taken some points off Lando.”Arguably without that penalty we would have won today as well.”Copy linkCopiedFIA time penaltyEx-Red Bull driver Liam Lawson was hit with a ten-second time penalty during the race after leaving the track and gaining an advantage.Copy linkCopiedSarcastic radio from LeclercDuring the race, Charles Leclerc had a tongue-in-cheek response to his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi.Copy linkCopiedConstructors’ standings after five racesHere’s how the Constructors Championship standings look after five races.McLaren – 188 pointsMercedes – 111Red Bull – 89Ferrari – 78Williams – 25Haas – 20Aston Martin – 20Racing Bulls – 8Alpine – 6Sauber – 6Copy linkCopied’It’s the execution’ – Chadwick on Norris car claimsSky Sports F1 pundit and former W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has rubbished claims that Norris and McLaren do not have an advantage over their rivals.She said: “The pace is not the problem, but it’s the execution.”Copy linkCopied’He looks like a veteran’ – Andrea Stella on Piastri and NorrisMcLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, on Piastri’s race win: “Oscar looks like a veteran, but it is just his 51st race in F1.”On Norris’ recovery: “We really wanted to recover after yesterday’s qualifying, and [Norris] did that really well. “Very good points for Lando, as he said on his in-lap, he needs to polish a little bit his Saturdays and then he will be alright.”Copy linkCopiedNorris on narrow podium missTold Sky Sports: “I’m pretty hot (laugh). Yeah I gave it my all.”Charles drove a good race.”I’m pleased on the whole but I make life tough for myself.”It would have been much easier to be up the front.”I need to have better Saturdays.”They [Ferrari and Red Bull are just as quick.”We show a bit more in practice then have nothing left in qualifying.”We’re probably quicker on average but not enough.”We suffer a lot in DRS compared to other teams, we’re not as quick on the straight, which makes today tricky.”Oscar did a great job and showed what the car can do.”Copy linkCopiedZak Brown on McLaren winSpeaking to Sky Sports, Brown said: “Mega result.”Team did a huge job to get Lando’s car back to racing standard after his race win.”Lando was great, Oscar was flawless….”Would have been a bit better if they [Red Bull] swapped earlier. “Looking forward to party with the team.”We thought a podium for Lando was on but we were wrong by 1.2 seconds…”[Penalty for Verstappen] Definetly deserved. It was appropriate.”Copy linkCopiedThumbs up between Williams driversA massive weekend for Williams as they score double points with Sainz helping Albon to keep Hadjar at bay.They also managed double points in China this season.Copy linkCopiedDrivers standings after Saudi Arabia GPHere’s how we look after five races of the season.P1) Piastri – 99P2) Norris – 89P3) Verstappen – 87P4) Russell – 73P5) Leclerc – 47P6) Antonelli – 38P7) Hamilton – 31P8) Albon – 20P9) Ocon – 14P10) Stroll – 10Copy linkCopied More
