F1 News Today: FIA announced Red Bull punishment after Miami penalty pr… read more 

F1 News Today: FIA announced Red Bull punishment after Miami penalty pr… read more 

The FIA has officially delivered its verdict following Red Bull Racing’s protest regarding the final results of the Miami Grand Prix. The team had filed a complaint suggesting that the race outcome could have been affected by an alleged breach of regulations involving one of their rivals. Red Bull claimed that a competitor failed to comply properly with the rules during a specific moment in the race, which, if validated, might have changed the podium standings.

The incident under scrutiny occurred during a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) phase when yellow flags were waved. Red Bull argued that a driver, believed to be Mercedes’ George Russell, did not slow down appropriately under yellow flag conditions. According to their analysis of GPS data, the driver maintained a higher speed than expected, which the team believed constituted a breach of the safety protocol. As a result, Red Bull requested that the stewards impose a five-second time penalty. If enforced, this would have demoted Russell’s finishing position and promoted Max Verstappen to the podium.

However, after thoroughly examining the incident, including onboard footage and telemetry data, the FIA stewards concluded that the driver in question had sufficiently reduced speed. The data showed that he lifted off the throttle by around 25% while passing through the yellow flag zone. Based on this evidence, the stewards determined that the driver’s actions were compliant with regulations. Consequently, Red Bull’s protest was rejected, and the original race result was upheld.

This decision meant that the podium places remained unchanged. McLaren celebrated a strong performance, with Oscar Piastri taking victory and Lando Norris finishing second. George Russell held onto third place, while Max Verstappen remained in fourth, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.

The ruling serves as a reminder of the close margins and high tensions in Formula 1. Teams are constantly monitoring each other’s performance, and even minor actions on track can lead to protests if they’re believed to breach the rules. It also highlights the rigorous standards applied by the FIA when investigating such claims. The governing body is committed to ensuring fairness and integrity in the sport by making decisions based on comprehensive evidence and strict adherence to the rulebook.

As the season continues, the competitive rivalry between top teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren is expected to intensify. With every point and position potentially crucial in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, such disputes could become more frequent. The FIA’s role in maintaining clear and consistent rulings will remain essential throughout the season.