Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has criticised Max Verstappen for being "unprofessional and disrespectful" after the Dutchman failed to celebrate with fellow drivers on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix podium.
Herbert took aim at the four-time world champion for merely drinking champagne rather than joining Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc in the traditional celebratory spray.
The incident occurred after Verstappen finished second behind McLaren's Piastri in Sunday's race, with the Red Bull driver visibly frustrated following a controversial penalty.
Verstappen's frustration stemmed from a five-second penalty he received for leaving the track and gaining an advantage at turn one on the opening lap against Piastri.
Max Verstappen was not happy after being handed a five-second penalty in JeddahReutersThe penalty proved decisive as it allowed Piastri to take the lead after the pit stops.
The Red Bull driver ultimately finished 2.8 seconds behind the Australian, who claimed victory in Jeddah.
The incident sparked debate in the paddock, with some arguing the penalty was justified while others felt the stewards had been too harsh.
Speaking to Beste Online Casino Nederland, Herbert said: "I saw Max Verstappen drink the champagne on the podium and didn't really celebrate Oscar or Charles.
"It comes across as unprofessional and disrespectful, from a four-time world champion."
"You have to be gracious in defeat sometimes.
"I don't know how people will argue that it was an unfair penalty. The people arguing against it have probably never been in a race car."
Verstappen avoided directly criticising the stewards after the race, saying: "The problem is that I cannot share my opinion about it because I might get penalised also, so it's better not to speak about it."
The Dutchman delivered just a brief two-sentence interview post-race.
Max Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty after cutting off the trackReutersMeanwhile, race winner Piastri supported the stewards' decision, stating: "Once I got on the inside, I wasn't coming out of Turn 1 in second."
"I thought I was plenty far enough up and in the end that's what got me the race," the McLaren driver added.
Following the race, Verstappen was spotted speaking with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem before the podium ceremony, later shaking his hand on the rostrum.
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner interpreted Verstappen's limited comments as strategic.
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Max Verstappen had to settle for second as Oscar Piastri pipped him to first placeReuters"I think he played it very cleverly, he sent a message without offending anybody," Steiner told the Red Flags podcast.
"If you have nothing good to say, say nothing. He used that one to his advantage," Steiner added.
Verstappen currently sits third in the drivers' standings, 12 points behind championship leader Piastri.
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