Breaking: FIA Penalizes Verstappen Following ….read more
Breaking: FIA Penalizes Verstappen Following ….read more
In a development that has stirred fresh debate in the Formula 1 paddock, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially announced a penalty for reigning World Champion Max Verstappen. The decision is connected to an incident that originally occurred during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, not the most recent Imola event, although the ruling was confirmed just ahead of the Imola weekend.
The controversy stems from the opening corner of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where Verstappen, starting from pole position, found himself in a tight battle with McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. As the lights went out, both drivers launched well and approached Turn 1 nearly side by side. However, as they entered the corner, Verstappen ran wide, leaving the track limits, and then rejoined ahead of Piastri—retaining the lead without giving the position back.
At the time, the stewards did not take immediate action. However, McLaren soon lodged a formal protest after the race, citing the FIA’s revised Driving Standards Guidelines. According to McLaren, Piastri had earned the right to racing room at the apex of the corner, given that he had substantial overlap with Verstappen’s car. These updated rules, which were introduced to clarify what constitutes fair racing behavior in wheel-to-wheel scenarios, emphasize that a driver must leave space if the car attempting to overtake is significantly alongside by the corner’s apex.
McLaren’s complaint prompted the FIA to review onboard footage, telemetry data, and GPS traces in the days following the race. After thorough analysis and consultations, the FIA concluded that Verstappen had indeed violated the updated driving standards by not respecting Piastri’s position. As a result, they have handed down a time penalty and penalty points to Verstappen’s license, retroactively affecting the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results.
The timing of the decision—coming during the Imola Grand Prix weekend—has reignited ongoing concerns about the consistency and timing of FIA rulings. Critics argue that such incidents should be addressed immediately during a race weekend to ensure fairness and transparency for teams, drivers, and fans alike. The FIA, however, defended the delay, stating that post-race investigations are sometimes necessary when complex incidents require detailed analysis beyond what can be done in real time.
Formula 1 insiders have expressed mixed reactions to the ruling. Some see it as a step in the right direction, showing that the FIA is serious about enforcing its updated regulations. Others, however, feel that the move sets a dangerous precedent by allowing race outcomes to change days after events have concluded.
Team principals have also weighed in. McLaren CEO Zak Brown praised the FIA for “upholding the integrity of the sport,” stating that “rules must apply equally to everyone, regardless of team or championship status.” Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, meanwhile, expressed disappointment with the decision, emphasizing that “racing is about hard but fair battles, and we believe Max’s move was within the limits of aggressive driving.”
For Verstappen, the penalty is unlikely to have a significant impact on his championship campaign—he still holds a strong lead in the standings. However, the points on his license do add up, and if similar incidents occur, he could face more serious consequences, including race bans.
This episode adds another layer of tension to what has already been an intense 2025 F1 season, with tight midfield battles and increased scrutiny on stewarding decisions. As the grid looks ahead to the next races, the spotlight will remain firmly on how the FIA continues to interpret and enforce its own rulebook.
