New FIA document reveals Max Verstappen should have received different penalty at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

An official document from Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has explained why Max Verstappen escaped a harsher penalty.

On Sunday, Verstappen started on pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which took place around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

However, the Dutchman's chances of winning the race went up in smoke after he was handed a 5-second penalty for a first-lap incident involving McLaren star Oscar Piastri.

The pair headed into the first corner neck and neck, with Piastri on the inside and Verstappen on the outside.

As they approached the corner, the Red Bull driver had to go wide and off the track before rejoining the action in first place.

After being investigated by the stewards, Verstappen was handed a penalty for 'leaving the track and gaining an advantage'.

Piastri went on to win the race ahead of the Dutchman and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc.

After the race, Verstappen was visibly unimpressed and he 'refused' to take part in the podium champagne celebrations before Red Bull boss Christian Horner brought onboard footage to dispute the penalty.

However, as per the official document from the FIA, things could have been worse for Verstappen.

The document stated that the normal punishment for leaving the track to gain an advantage would be a 10-second penalty.

But, the FIA explained: "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."

Luckily for Verstappen, he will not get an extra penalty point on his license for his tussle with Piastri.

Dutch F1 journalist Erik van Haren wrote on social media: "Verstappen does not get an extra penalty point on his license by the way. Because it was not a dangerous incident (gaining advantage by leaving the track).

"Verstappen was already on eight points, the first points will be crossed off at the end of June."

F1 will return next month with the Miami Grand Prix, which will take place on May 4.