Sky F1 analyst Karun Chandhok

Sky F1 analyst Karun Chandhok advocates for Max Verstappen’s demotion amid FIA penalty verdict … Read more

what turned out to be an unexpectedly dramatic weekend at Zandvoort, Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok called for a highly unlikely scenario: Max Verstappen being demoted—after what many view as a stunning outcome during qualifying at the Dutch Grand Prix. This comes as the FIA confirmed their penalty decision following Verstappen’s appearance before the stewards.

Qualifying shock and a bold suggestion

The 15th round of the F1 season saw Verstappen line up in P3 for Sunday’s grid, behind championship frontrunner Oscar Piastri and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Yet it was the identity of the driver alongside Verstappen on the second row that caused jaws to drop: Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar qualified in an impressive P4.

Chandhok, a former F1 driver turned Sky Sports expert, didn’t mince words. He hailed Hadjar’s performance as an “incredible effort” and posed a provocative question: “I would love to see what would happen if you put Max Verstappen in that Racing Bulls!” This bold idea pushed the notion of a demotion—not as a reprimand but as an idea born from curiosity over underperformance at Red Bull in contrast to the potential of its junior team.

Internal dynamics and resistance

Despite the shock value, Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane was quick to dismiss any such proposal. Asked whether there was any discussion between the main and junior Red Bull outfits about Verstappen perhaps trying a session with Racing Bulls, Permane gave a firm response: “Absolutely not. Zero at all. I’m sure they’re focused on their own thing…”

So while Chandhok’s comment was likely made in jest—or perhaps as a critique masked in levity—it has certainly sparked debate about Verstappen’s ongoing struggles in the 2025 season and whether he’s still in top form.

The FIA’s penalty verdict

On the same day, the FIA released their decision on a stewards’ hearing involving Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix. While details remain somewhat scant in the headline, it’s clear that the four-time world champion was summoned and penalized for an incident during the Dutch weekend. No further specifics are provided in the article, though it frames the penalty as part of a broader disappointing weekend for Verstappen—one that might justify Chandhok’s radical suggestion.

Interpretation and fallout

This unusual combination of events—qualification faltering, the FIA intervention, and Sky punditry—casts Verstappen’s weekend in a harsh light. Qualifying P3 (when expectations for him typically hover at pole or near-pole) juxtaposed with a junior driver outpacing him brings into sharp focus concerns over performance consistency and team dynamics.

Chandhok’s remark, though provocative, underscores tension within the Red Bull ecosystem: High-performing rookies causing introspection at the top, and pundits openly wondering if a radical switch could solve deeper issues. Despite the outrageousness of the notion, it served its purpose—raising questions about Verstappen’s form and the team’s internal strategy.

Final thoughts

In a nutshell:

Karun Chandhok suggested demotion as a hypothetical response to Verstappen’s surprising qualifying setback and inconsistent form.
His comments were sparked by Isack Hadjar’s standout P4 qualification for Racing Bulls, which contrasted starkly with Red Bull’s underwhelming display.
Alan Permane shut down the idea immediately, labeling it as non-existent and not entertained.
Meanwhile, the FIA reached a penalty verdict against Verstappen following a stewards’ hearing at the Dutch GP—adding to the controversy of his weekend.

Chandhok’s suggestion may not be realistic, but it captures the moment—a four-time champion outpaced by a junior driver and under scrutiny from both pundits and regulators.