Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed “people can’t handle the truth” as he remained tight-lipped over his penalty in the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty after stewards deemed he left the track and gained an advantage through his wheel-to-wheel confrontation at Turn 1 with Oscar Piastri at lights out in Jeddah.
The Dutchman fumed over the decision on team radio during the race in response to the verdict and cut his parc ferme interview short after losing to Piastri by just 2.6s.
Verstappen said commenting on the penalty was “a waste of time” in conversation with Sky Sports F1, and repeatedly dodged questions from FIA post-race press conference host Tom Clarkson with regards to the decision.
“I think it’s better not to talk about it,” Verstappen told select media, including Motorsport Week.
“Anything I say or try to say about it might get me in trouble.”
This isn’t the first time that Verstappen has been tight-lipped in a press conference, a saga that began after he was punished for swearing in Singapore last year.
Subsequent incidents in racing situations have prompted a quiet front from the Dutchman, and he often plays his cards close to his chest on several other matters, too.
Asked if getting dragged down by F1’s media circus could be a cause for his sort responses, Verstappen said “No. It has to do with social media in general, and how the world is.
“I prefer not to talk a lot because sometimes your words can be twisted or people interpret it in a different way,” he added.
“It’s honestly better not to say too much. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Verstappen argues ‘we cannot be critical’
Verstappen was unsurprisingly asked to divulge more about his semi-silent stance and claimed, “people can’t handle the full truth.”
The Dutchman argued, “Like I said before, it’s just the world we live in.
“You can’t share your opinion because it’s not appreciated apparently, or people can’t handle the full truth.
“Honestly, it’s better if I don’t 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 what we have currently, we cannot be critical anyway. So less talking – even better for me.”
Pressed further on where his irritation was directed towards, be it the FIA’s swearing rules, the media, or something else, the Dutchman said “I know I cannot swear in here, but at the same time, you also can’t be critical in any form that might ‘harm’ or ‘danger’… Let me get the sheet out. There’s a lot of lines, you know?
“So that’s why it’s better not to talk about it – you can put yourself in trouble, and I don’t think anyone wants that.”
READ MORE – Defiant Max Verstappen issues glib protest over F1 Saudi Arabian GP penalty
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