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FIA Issues Double Penalty Following Dramatic 2025 Spanish Grand Prix
The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix proved to be as controversial as it was action-packed, with post-race developments causing major shifts in the final standings. The FIA imposed two separate time penalties after the race, one affecting a top-five finisher and the other involving a rookie driver, prolonging the suspense well into the evening.
Max Verstappen, who initially crossed the line in fifth place, received a 10-second time penalty for a collision with Mercedes’ George Russell during the final phase of the race. The stewards found Verstappen responsible for the contact, leading to his demotion to 10th place in the official results. The penalty dealt a significant blow to Red Bull’s points haul from the weekend.
Later in the evening, the FIA handed out a second penalty, this time to Haas rookie Oliver Bearman. The British driver was penalized 10 seconds for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage during a spirited battle with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. The incident unfolded at Turn 1, where Lawson (Car 30) attempted an inside-line overtake on Bearman (Car 87). Although Lawson had clearly pulled ahead by the corner’s apex, Bearman opted to use the escape road, rejoining the circuit at Turn 3 ahead of Lawson.
Bearman failed to return the position voluntarily, prompting the stewards to investigate. Despite Lawson re-overtaking Bearman a lap later, the initial breach stood. “We accordingly imposed a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage,” the FIA declared in its official ruling.
While Bearman’s penalty didn’t affect the lower end of the final standings—he finished 17th, last among the classified drivers—it highlighted Haas’s continued struggles. His teammate, Esteban Ocon, also endured a tough race, finishing 16th after starting from 15th on the grid. The American outfit remains entrenched at the back of the field, showing little improvement as the season progresses.
These penalties reflect the FIA’s ongoing commitment to strict regulation enforcement, regardless of a driver’s position or team. With Verstappen and Bearman both penalized, the message is clear: any breach of racing conduct will be reviewed and punished accordingly. The delays in confirming the final race results only added to the drama of an already intense Grand Prix, reminding teams that discipline and precision are just as vital as speed in today’s Formula 1.
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