FIA ‘shame’ for ‘wrong decision’ after 300…read more

FIA ‘shame’ for ‘wrong decision’ after 300…read more

During the most recent Spanish Grand Prix, a controversial incident between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc has drawn sharp criticism from former Ferrari general manager and current Formula 1 commentator, Peter Windsor. The situation unfolded just after a safety car period had ended. As racing resumed, Leclerc made a daring move and overtook Verstappen on the main straight. This maneuver led to slight contact between the two cars while traveling at speeds of over 300 kilometers per hour.

Although neither car appeared to suffer any damage and both drivers continued racing without interruption, the moment raised eyebrows due to the high-speed nature of the contact. Despite the severity of the potential risk, the FIA’s appointed race stewards chose not to take any disciplinary action. Both Verstappen and Leclerc were called to meet with the stewards after the race so the incident could be reviewed in more detail. After considering the circumstances, the stewards ruled that no penalties were warranted, stating that both drivers shared some level of responsibility for the contact and that it was a racing incident.

Peter Windsor, however, was not convinced by the FIA’s stance. Expressing his frustration in his post-race analysis, Windsor accused the governing body of making the “wrong decision” and labeled their failure to act as a “shame.” He argued that the incident should have led to some form of penalty, particularly given the speeds involved and the risk it posed to both drivers. According to Windsor, the lack of consequences sets a dangerous precedent and could encourage more aggressive behavior on track in future races. He emphasized that while the contact may have seemed minor in terms of physical damage, the potential implications for safety were significant.

Windsor further criticized the consistency of the FIA’s race control decisions, suggesting that similar incidents in the past have drawn penalties, while others have not—leading to confusion among drivers, teams, and fans. He urged the FIA to be more transparent and consistent in how such situations are judged, especially in cases where driver safety is at stake.

The incident has since sparked wider debate among F1 commentators, fans, and analysts. While some agree with Windsor’s assessment, others argue that the stewards made the right call by allowing the drivers to race hard without interference. Nevertheless, the lack of penalty has intensified scrutiny of the FIA’s decision-making process, particularly regarding incidents occurring at extremely high speeds.