Breaking: FIA issue late penalty verdict for TWO F1 stars after Mi…read more
FIA Issues Post-Race Warning to Sainz and Gasly Following Miami GP Investigation
After the conclusion of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, the FIA released a delayed verdict concerning two Formula 1 drivers — Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly — following an investigation into an alleged breach of yellow flag protocols. The stewards had summoned both the Williams and Alpine drivers after the race on suspicions that they failed to reduce speed when yellow flags were displayed, which would constitute a violation of Article 2.5.5 b) of the International Sporting Code.
Upon reviewing all available footage and hearing from both drivers, the stewards ultimately decided that no further action was necessary. As a result, Sainz retained his ninth-place finish and the two championship points that came with it, while Gasly held onto 13th position.
The FIA stewards issued a formal warning to both drivers but emphasized that several mitigating factors played a role in their decision. The report explained that neither Sainz nor Gasly noticed the yellow flag during the race, with both drivers confirming this during their hearings. Crucially, footage revealed that the yellow flag was only displayed from a single marshal post and was shown briefly in a fast section of the circuit.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that there was no supporting light panel in place at the yellow flag zone, which typically helps alert both teams and drivers to flag conditions. Additionally, the vehicle that prompted the yellow flag was positioned out of sight — obscured behind a trackside barrier at an exit point — meaning the drivers had no direct visual cue to suggest an incident had occurred ahead.
Taking all of these unusual factors into account, the stewards chose to issue only a warning instead of imposing time penalties or grid drops. The verdict labeled the incident as a “unique scenario,” underscoring the lack of typical visual and audio alerts that would normally be present.
While the investigation drew late attention, the main story from Miami centered around McLaren’s dominant performance. The team showcased impressive race pace throughout the event, with their lead driver finishing more than 30 seconds ahead of George Russell, who secured third place for Mercedes. McLaren’s success highlighted their recent development gains, particularly on high-speed street circuits like Miami.
Oscar Piastri once again emerged as the standout performer within McLaren, managing to outperform his teammate Lando Norris. Norris’s race was compromised from the start, as he became involved in a first-lap collision with Max Verstappen. The incident significantly damaged his car and prevented him from challenging for the podium or victory.
Elsewhere on the grid, four drivers failed to finish the race: Jack Doohan, Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson were all forced to retire due to various mechanical or incident-related issues. Yuki Tsunoda was handed a five-second time penalty for exceeding the pit lane speed limit, though it did not impact Sainz’s position in the final results.
The Miami Grand Prix delivered excitement both on and off the track, with key performances, retirements, and regulatory decisions shaping the outcome of the weekend.
