BREAKING: FIA Announces Late Penalties at Miami GP Following… Read more
FIA Announces Late Penalties Following Dramatic Miami Grand Prix Weekend
The 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix ended with a wave of post-race penalties, as the FIA moved swiftly to penalize drivers for incidents that affected both the Sprint and Grand Prix races. The decisions not only altered race results but also sent a strong message to drivers ahead of the European leg of the championship.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was handed a five-second time penalty and one penalty point on his super licence for causing a collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri late in the Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Turn 17 when Sainz, attempting a late overtake, locked up and made contact with Piastri, damaging the McLaren’s front wing. As a result of the penalty, Sainz dropped from fourth to fifth, elevating Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and denting Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship hopes.
Kevin Magnussen was again in the spotlight during the Sprint race, where the Haas driver picked up three separate 10-second penalties for repeatedly leaving the track and gaining an advantage. He also received an additional five-second penalty for similar infractions. The FIA noted that Magnussen now has 10 penalty points on his super licence—just two short of an automatic race ban. The stewards are reportedly considering harsher future sanctions for persistent rule violations, raising questions about Magnussen’s driving approach and its long-term implications.
Elsewhere, Daniel Ricciardo faced the consequences of an earlier mistake in China, where he overtook Nico Hulkenberg under Safety Car conditions. Though Ricciardo retired from that race after being hit by Lance Stroll, the stewards carried his three-place grid penalty over to Miami, affecting his starting position in Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas was also hit with a grid drop, this time for the Sprint race. The Sauber driver impeded Oscar Piastri during Sprint Qualifying after cruising slowly on the racing line without receiving a timely warning from his team. The stewards imposed a three-place penalty, sending Bottas to the back of the grid.
Another major incident came during the Sprint, when Fernando Alonso was on course to score his first point of the season before being taken out in a late collision with rookie Liam Lawson. The FIA deemed Lawson at fault and issued a five-second penalty, which dropped him out of the points despite finishing seventh on track. The incident drew criticism from Alonso, who was visibly frustrated with the missed opportunity.
The string of penalties and post-race adjustments have significantly influenced the championship narrative. With key midfield and front-running teams impacted, the FIA’s assertive stance is seen as an effort to ensure consistency and safety across all race weekends.
As the F1 circus heads to Europe, drivers will need to tread carefully. With championship positions tightening and penalty points stacking up, the margin for error is smaller than ever. The Miami Grand Prix served as a firm reminder: racing hard is expected—but racing fairly is mandatory.
