The high-octane world of Formula 1 was electrified with unexpected drama when Charles Leclerc‘s girlfriend, Alexandra Saint Mleux, inadvertently fuelled a spirited debate with her video capturing the start of the Saudi Arabian GP. Sunday’s race, witnessed from the grandstands, saw Saint Mleux post a video clip on social media, capturing the instant when the cars launched off the line. The video soon became the focal point of contention, especially given the intense race dynamics between Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen, starting from pole position, was pushed to defend his lead vigorously, which led to a five-second penalty after being forced off the track while fending off Piastri’s fierce challenge.
The race’s pivotal moment occurred when Verstappen faced considerable pressure from Piastri’s pacey MCL39. The time penalty, meted out by the FIA, was deemed controversial, prompting vigorous discussions among F1 enthusiasts and insiders. Adding fuel to the fire, the video posted by Saint Mleux was eagerly shared by Piastri supporters, who believed it illustrated their driver’s supremacy. However, the clarity of the footage was debatable, with conflicting interpretations emerging from different camps.
Piastri fans expressed appreciation for Saint Mleux’s video, using it as a tool to assert Piastri’s advantage over Verstappen during the race start. “Thank you, Alexandra Saint Mleux, for posting the race start on your Instagram story, because you can clearly see Oscar is head of Max at T1 from that angle,” one fan wrote. Despite the praise, questions about the video’s effectiveness in clearing the doubt lingered. The clip’s perceived value lay more in its symbolic significance in bolstering Piastri’s fanbase rather than providing definitive evidence of what transpired.
On the track, Piastri showcased formidable skill, keeping his line alongside Verstappen’s RB21 through the opening turns. Observers and analysts noted that Verstappen seemed left with limited options, forced into evasive maneuvers. Even FIA stewards’ decision to impose a penalty on Verstappen, which some believed a “slam dunk,” was not without controversy, as many felt Red Bull should have been allowed to rectify the situation before the penalty was confirmed.
Former F1 TV presenter Will Buxton remarked that the penalty was a logical outcome of Verstappen’s off-track excursion. McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown also sided with the FIA’s stance, reflecting confidence in Piastri’s strategic positioning and start prowess during the race. “Oscar was clearly on the inside. Got a better start. And you need to use the race track,” said Brown, underscoring his support for the penalty.
Ultimately, despite Verstappen’s prominent efforts, the penalty dashed his hopes of victory, relegating him to a P2 finish, while Piastri emerged as the victor. This win helped propel the Australian driver to the championship lead, gaining an edge over teammates and rivals, including Leclerc and Verstappen. As tensions simmer, the spectacle surrounding Saint Mleux’s video and the penalty debate serves as a reminder of the sport’s unpredictable nature, where even off-track incidents can spark intense discussions and shift championship dynamics.
