Hello
It was Verstappen's first DNF (did not finish) since retiring from Albert Park in the 2022 race and ended his run of race wins at nine.
Sergio Perez was runner-up under the Jeddah Corniche floodlights, last year's winner taking the chequered flag 13.643 seconds behind his triple world champion teammate who now has a 15-point lead in the standings.
The BBC said it had seen a report by FIA compliance officer Paolo Basarri to its ethics committee in which a whistleblower claimed the president had intervened to overturn a penalty given to Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen senior also denied involvement in the anonymous email.
The Dutch driver took the chequered flag 22.4 seconds clear of his team mate Sergio Perez driving a similar RB20.
Red Bull has said the investigation report will remain confidential.
The action starts in Bahrain on Saturday.
The teams, along with Formula One Management and the governing FIA, agreed to reorder the sessions on sprint weekends so that Friday has one free practice followed by a sprint qualifying 'shootout'.
The 39-year-old Briton is set to replace Spanish driver Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
The five-year agreement with Peroni's 0.0% non-alcoholic version of the beer -- for which financial details were not disclosed -- starts this year and includes branding on Ferrari cars and driver uniforms.