"...he looked at Ben, shook his head, and said, 'Wait here for five seconds.'"

JEDDAH—Still fuming after receiving a five-second time penalty at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen reportedly left FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stranded at a local gas station, muttering something about “that’s bloody lovely” as he sped off in a courtesy Red Bull Mini Cooper.

The penalty, handed down for “leaving the track and gaining an advantage at the start” while defending against Oscar Piastri, dropped Verstappen from a potential win to second place—a move that Max described post-race as “no comment.”

According to eyewitnesses, Ben Sulayem had welcomed himself into Verstappen’s passenger seat—and Max took advantage. “Max got out of the car, grabbed a Red Bull and some chewing gum,” said gas station attendant Fawaz Darwish. “Then he looked at Ben, shook his head, and said, ‘Wait here for five seconds.’ I thought he was kidding.”



He was not.

Security camera footage shows Ben Sulayem stepping out just before Verstappen drives off—tires screeching, door still open, Red Bull can airborne in the wind. He reportedly stood next to pump four for 25 minutes before being picked up by a confused Guenther Steiner.

“Max just needed space,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. “Look, when Max gets a penalty—even for things he protests all the time—it’s an insult. And unfortunately, whoever is within range at the time is going to catch the fallout. He learned it from Jos.”

Ben Sulayem has since issued a statement saying he “enjoyed the walk” and that “these things happen,” but sources say he was overheard asking if the FIA could fine Verstappen for leaving him.

FIA stewards declined to comment, other than to confirm that “no further action” would be taken… for now.

Meanwhile, Verstappen has declined all media interviews and is reportedly arguing with racers in sim racing lobbies.

As of Sunday evening, Ben Sulayem had returned to his home via a gold Bird scooter and was last seen muttering, “At least Lewis only ignores me.”