Featured Image Credit: F1
Chris Byfield
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Max Verstappen shut down a reporter in the wake of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.
Reigning world champion Verstappen, who started in pole position in Jeddah, was penalised for leaving the track and gaining an advantage over the race’s eventual winner Oscar Piastri.
Despite getting a better launch from second on the grid and pulling alongside Verstappen, the Dutch driver refused to yield and instead used the run-off area to retain the lead during the first-corner incident.
After opting to not immediately give first position to Piastri, the stewards decided on a five-second penalty against Verstappen.
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While Verstappen was unhappy about the decision, he refused to elaborate regarding why.
When asked about the incident by Viaplay, Verstappen said: “No. It doesn't matter. I don't want to talk about it."
Upon being pushed as to why not, the 27-year-old reiterated: "Because I don't want to."
He later shared to Sky Sports that he could not elaborate over fears of getting in trouble with the sport's governing body, the FIA.
"The problem is that I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalised," Verstappen said. "So it's better not to speak about it.
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"I think it's better not to talk about it. Anything I say or try to say about it, it might get me in trouble."
When asked whether it was frustrating to be biting his tongue, Verstappen added: "I think it's just the world we live in. You can't share fully your opinion because it's not appreciated, apparently, or people can't handle the full truth.
"For me, it's better if I don't need to say too much, it also saves my time, because we already have to do so much.
"It's honestly just how everything is becoming. Everyone is super sensitive about everything. And then, of course, what we have currently, we cannot be critical anyway. So, that's fine, less talking - even better for me."