BREAKING: Max Verstappen Under FIA Investigation After S…read more
Max Verstappen Under FIA Investigation After Sprint Qualifying Incident with Norris in Miami
Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is under the microscope of the FIA stewards following an incident with McLaren driver Lando Norris during Friday’s sprint qualifying session for the Miami Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver has been summoned over a potential breach of racing regulations during the first segment (SQ1) of the session.
The controversy arose when Verstappen appeared to impede Norris, who was on a flying lap. A visibly frustrated Norris immediately aired his grievances over the team radio, suggesting he was blocked at a critical juncture of his timed lap. While the FIA’s official statement did not explicitly name Norris, it confirmed that Verstappen and a Red Bull representative have been called to a hearing with the stewards to address a possible infringement of the rules.
Verstappen is being investigated for a suspected violation of **Article 33.4 of the FIA Sporting Regulations**, which prohibits drivers from driving “unnecessarily slowly” in a manner that could endanger other competitors. Furthermore, he is also under scrutiny for a potential breach of **Article 12.2.1 i) of the FIA International Sporting Code**, which pertains to general sporting misconduct.
This is not the first time Verstappen has faced scrutiny under similar regulations. At the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, he received a one-place grid penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly in front of George Russell during qualifying. However, in that instance, neither driver was on a hot lap, resulting in a relatively minor penalty. The regulations stipulate that a more severe three-place grid penalty could be imposed if a driver is found to have impeded another on a fast lap.
Crucially, Norris was indeed on a flying lap during the Miami incident, raising the stakes for Verstappen. If the stewards deem him to be at fault, a penalty could significantly impact his starting position for both Saturday’s sprint race and potentially Sunday’s main Grand Prix, thereby affecting Red Bull’s overall weekend strategy.
Despite the incident, Norris impressively navigated through all three qualifying segments, ultimately securing third place on the sprint race grid. Intriguingly, Verstappen qualified just behind him in fourth. Their proximity on the grid sets the stage for a potentially charged sprint race.
As of this report, the FIA stewards have yet to issue a formal decision. The outcome of their investigation will be closely watched by teams and fans alike, as it holds the potential to reshape the narrative of the Miami Grand Prix weekend.
Verstappen’s strong performance this season has positioned him as the frontrunner in the championship battle. However, incidents like this could present a hurdle to his momentum. With Norris demonstrating significant pace and both Mercedes and Ferrari in contention, any grid penalty for Verstappen could make his task considerably more challenging in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive Miami Grand Prix.
