Real reason why drivers are receiving harsher penalties during Abu Dhabi GP as Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri both punished

The reason why drivers have been handed much harsher penalties than usual during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been revealed.

On Sunday, the 2024 Formula 1 season ends with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix around the Yas Marina Circuit.

During the first lap, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri were involved in a collision after the Red Bull superstar dived down the inside into turn one.

As a result, Verstappen's car made contact with the McLaren, sending Piastri a long way down the pecking order.

After an investigation by the stewards, Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty.

Stake F1 Team driver Valtteri Bottas was also given the same punishment for causing a collision when he hit Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez.

Piastri himself was then handed a 10-second penalty for making contact with Williams driver Franco Colapinto.

Explaining the harshness of the penalties being handed out at the Grand Prix, Martin Brundle said on Sky Sports F1: "Had a note through - the drivers asked for more severe penalties for contact and that's why it's more 10-second penalties now.

"We've talked about that plenty, taking five-second penalties and then get down the road and negate it. It's more likely to be 10 seconds now."

Brundle also slammed Verstappen for the role he played during his first lap collision with Piastri, which could have a big impact on the fight for the constructor's title.

McLaren headed into the race weekend with a 21-point lead over Ferrari in the standings.

Brundle said: "It's so unfair of Max wasn't it. They are not in the championship. He's won his championship. To put such a risky move, I know it's the first lap of a Grand Prix, there was a gap, Piastri would he know he would lunge like that?

"It just wasn't necessary and hasn't done Verstappen any good either."

He added: "McLaren's hopes all hang on Norris now. For Piastri to absorb his 10s penalty and make his way through the pack to score strong points, is a tall order.

"But there's still a long way to go."