BREAKING: FIA Announces Penalty Verdict for Max Verstappen aft

FIA Stewards Penalize Max Verstappen for Virtual Safety Car Breach at Miami Grand Prix

By Hugo Harvey

In a dramatic post-race decision at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, FIA stewards have issued a five-second time penalty to Max Verstappen for breaching Virtual Safety Car (VSC) regulations, a move that has dropped the Red Bull driver from third to fourth place in the official race standings.

The penalty follows an investigation into Verstappen’s actions during the VSC period triggered on lap 22 of the race. According to the FIA’s statement, Verstappen was found to be 0.063 seconds faster than the mandated minimum time set by the VSC delta just before racing resumed. The breach, while minor in duration, is considered a violation of Article 56.5 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, which outlines strict compliance with delta times under VSC conditions.

The stewards’ verdict stated: “Car 1 (Max Verstappen) failed to stay above the minimum delta time during the VSC ending procedure. The driver admitted to noticing he was under the delta and attempted to adjust, but was not able to do so before the VSC period ended. This constitutes a clear breach of the regulations, and a five-second time penalty is applied.”

The penalty had a direct impact on the final classification of the Miami Grand Prix, as Verstappen’s original third-place finish was nullified. The time penalty promoted Mercedes’ George Russell to third, giving Mercedes their first podium since the season opener in Bahrain.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen acknowledged the breach but suggested the margin was incredibly tight. “I was trying to manage the delta, but with how quickly the VSC ended, I misjudged it slightly. It wasn’t intentional, but the rules are the rules,” he said.

This decision reduces Verstappen’s lead in the championship standings over Lando Norris from 45 points to 44, adding an extra layer of tension to an already competitive season. Norris, who finished fifth on track but expressed frustration with tire degradation late in the race, could see this as a small win in the context of the title race.

The ruling has sparked debate in the Formula 1 paddock over the strict enforcement of the VSC delta, with some arguing that a 0.063-second margin should be considered negligible. However, the FIA clarified that even the slightest advantage gained under controlled race conditions compromises the integrity of the competition.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner offered a measured response: “We accept the decision of the stewards, though it’s a harsh lesson in how precise the margins are in this sport. Max gave it everything today, and we’ll regroup for the next race.”

As Formula 1 moves on to the next round in Imola, all eyes will be on how this penalty affects Red Bull’s approach and Verstappen’s strategy. The penalty serves as a reminder to all teams that even the smallest infractions can come with big consequences in the tightly regulated world of Formula 1.