Verstappen Received Huge Penalty After Piastri Incident at Abu Dhabi GP

Max Verstappen has already been on the wrong side of incidents involving a McLaren at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

The Dutchman's victory last week in Qatar has put him just 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris, who finished the race in fourth after strategy blunder from McLaren.

McLaren's pitstop disaster effectively cost Oscar Piastri the win, but the Australian's recovery to second keeps him in championship contention ahead of the final round.

However, as well as being the unlikeliest champion, Piastri will have to recover lost time in FP1 as Pato O'Ward is confirmed to replace him for the weekend's opening session.

Verstappen dealt penalty for 'champion' move on Piastri

The Australian will be hoping to make a better start in Abu Dhabi than he managed last year, with Verstappen's ambitious lunge into turn one spinning his McLaren off track.

Following the incident, Piastri came on to the radio to take a swipe at the Red Bull driver saying, "Yep. The move of a world champion that one."

Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri after their collision in 2024 (credit: getty)

Verstappen was handed a 10-second-penalty by the FIA for the move, which could have had huge championship consequences with the constructors championship still on the line.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen admitted he knew he made an error even before contact with Piastri.

“The start was good again – they have been pretty good all year,” Verstappen said via F1.

“I went up the inside, of course I was not all the way alongside so I tried to then back out of it on the apex, tried to run onto the kerb but the damage was already done and we clipped with Oscar’s left rear with my right front."

He added: “That was really unlucky, I hate coming together.

"Yeah, it’s not what I want to happen of course, and after that it was just a very difficult race. We didn’t have the pace also, so a bit of a shame.”

If Verstappen qualifies behind either of the McLaren's this weekend, it is highly likely the 28-year-old will be forced to make a similar attempt at the start.

The reigning champion will need to take maximum points in Abu Dhabi and rely on Norris finishing off the podium to achieve a fifth title, while unlikely, anything remains possible.