FIA Strikes Hard: Red Bull Penalized Over Verstappen Incident in Explosive M…read more
FIA Strikes Hard: Red Bull Penalized Over Verstappen Incident in Explosive Miami Grand Prix Ruling
In a bold and decisive move, the FIA has delivered a punishing verdict to Red Bull Racing following a controversial incident involving Max Verstappen at the Miami Grand Prix — triggering backlash from fans and teams alike.
The incident in question occurred during a tense battle for the lead, when Verstappen was seen forcing a rival off-track in a highly aggressive defensive maneuver on Lap 37. Following a post-race investigation, FIA stewards concluded that Verstappen had gained and maintained a position through unsporting means, violating Article 27.4 of the sporting regulations.
The result: Red Bull has been slapped with a 10-second time penalty for Verstappen, dropping him from second to fifth in the official race classification. In addition, the team has been fined €50,000 for failing to instruct their driver to relinquish the advantage.
“The move was deemed unnecessarily forceful and outside the bounds of fair racing,” the FIA said in a statement. “While competitive spirit is encouraged, the safety and integrity of competition remain paramount.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner fiercely defended his driver, calling the penalty “ridiculous” and accusing the FIA of overreach. “Max races hard — always has, always will. That’s what makes him a champion. This decision is a joke,” he said.
Verstappen, visibly frustrated post-race, held back little in his response. “If that’s a penalty, we might as well not race anymore. I gave space. I defended. That’s racing.”
The paddock remains divided. Some drivers supported the FIA’s stance, citing safety concerns, while others criticized the consistency of race control decisions. The ruling also shakes up the championship table, narrowing Verstappen’s lead and reigniting hopes for a tighter title fight.
With tensions boiling and Red Bull now on notice, all eyes turn to the next round in Imola — where the fallout from Miami is certain to linger.
