Calls F1 Steward Unfair, Verstappen Questions Why Only He Is Penalized

JAKARTA - Red Bull's Max Verstappen feels he is being treated differently from Formula 1's race supervisors and he will not change the way he rides ahead of the world championship determination series in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Verstappen was awarded two extra-time penalties for a total of 15 seconds in the previous race in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for exiting the track while defending the lead from his main rival, Lewis Hamilton, and then later causing a collision with the Mercedes driver.

"Obviously there are things that don't apply to everyone," said the 24-year-old at a pre-race press conference, quoted by Antara, Friday.

"The things I did like defend, the other two riders did that too and they weren't even called up or got a penalty."

"Obviously I was the only one who was penalized," Verstappen said of Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and Williams' George Russell, who left the track but were not penalized.

Verstappen and Hamilton head into the evening race at the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend with the same points, but the Dutchman is nine wins ahead of Hamilton's eight this season.

If both of them fail to get points there then Verstappen becomes world champion.

The two drivers have bumped into the track at least three times this season, including in the previous race in Saudi Arabia, so there are fears this weekend's race could end in another crash.

Race director Michael Masi has issued a warning that any driver who acts unsportsmanlike in the closing series could face severe sanctions including points deductions.

When asked if he would race in a different way following the penalty awarded in Saudi Arabia and the warning from Masi, Verstappen responded: "Honestly what I ask is that it applies to everyone. Obviously that's not the case at the moment."

"I don't feel I'm wrong and obviously it's not wrong for the others so why should I change while others are allowed to ride like that? I think everyone should be allowed to ride like that."