FIA Stewards Accused of Showing Bias Against Verstappen Am..

FIA Stewards Accused of Showing Bias Against Verstappen Am….read more

Controversy continues to swirl around the FIA’s stewards following accusations of inconsistency and bias in how penalties are being applied—particularly in relation to reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen. Former F1 titleholder Jacques Villeneuve has publicly criticized the sport’s governing body, claiming that Verstappen is being unfairly targeted, especially when compared to other drivers.

The controversy was ignited during the recent Miami Grand Prix weekend. In the sprint race, Verstappen was hit with a 10-second time penalty following a collision in the pit lane with Kimi Antonelli. The incident was deemed serious enough by the stewards to warrant the time penalty, a decision that had major consequences for the Red Bull driver. As a result of the penalty, Verstappen fell to the back of the grid and ultimately missed out on valuable points that could prove pivotal later in the championship fight.

On Sunday, Verstappen attempted to recover from the disappointing sprint race by pushing hard during the main Grand Prix. Despite his efforts, he could only manage a fourth-place finish. The race was ultimately won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who made a decisive move on Verstappen on Lap 14 to take the lead. Piastri showed remarkable racecraft, defending his position to the end and securing his third consecutive win—a streak that has catapulted him into serious championship contention.

Jacques Villeneuve, speaking in an interview with Vision4Sport, expressed admiration for Piastri’s recent performances but didn’t shy away from voicing strong opinions about what he sees as a double standard in the way rules are enforced. He went so far as to describe Piastri as the current “golden child” of Formula 1, suggesting that the young Australian is receiving favorable treatment from race officials—especially when compared to Verstappen.

Villeneuve argued that Piastri’s rise and clean image have earned him the benefit of the doubt in the eyes of the FIA, allowing him to avoid penalties for incidents that might otherwise attract scrutiny. The Canadian former driver implied that this leniency creates an uneven playing field, where certain drivers are judged more harshly than others based on their reputations or media appeal.

This isn’t the first time Verstappen has faced controversial decisions from the stewards, but Villeneuve’s public critique has added new weight to the conversation. The former champion suggested that Verstappen’s aggressive style and past run-ins with officials may be contributing to a bias in how his actions are perceived and penalized. He emphasized that all drivers should be treated equally, regardless of their status or history in the sport.

Red Bull has yet to issue a formal response to the penalty or Villeneuve’s comments, but internally, the team is said to be frustrated by what it perceives as a pattern of disproportionate punishments aimed at Verstappen. Team principal Christian Horner has previously spoken out about the need for greater consistency in race officiating and may use this incident to renew calls for clearer and more objective decision-making by the FIA.

The debate over stewarding in Formula 1 is not new, but it has intensified as the title race becomes more competitive. With rising stars like Piastri gaining momentum and Verstappen facing unexpected hurdles, tensions are running high both on and off the track. Fans and insiders alike are calling for the FIA to review its procedures and ensure that fairness remains the foundation of the sport.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the stewards handle future incidents—especially those involving high-profile drivers. Whether Villeneuve’s claims of bias will spark reform or remain a contentious talking point is yet to be seen.