Wow, just saw that he was penalized!
Well, can't say that I didn't see that coming
lol! (lauging at the prognostication not the penalty).
He absolutely gained an advantage by cutting the chicane. If he has stayed on the course he would have had to drop his speed by a large enough amount to avoid an accident that he wouldn't have been able to make the pass that he wound up making after conceding the position back.