JUST IN:Ferrari driver ‘extremely upset’ as Red Bull’s M…read more
JUST IN:Ferrari driver ‘extremely upset’ as Red Bull’s M…read more
The growing tension within Formula 1 took a new turn this week after Ferrari’s star driver reportedly expressed being “very angry” following recent comments from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who criticized the FIA over its handling of certain race situations. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, has long been vocal about his displeasure with some of the governing body’s decisions, and his latest comments have ignited a firestorm within the F1 community.
During an interview after the latest race weekend, Verstappen took a direct swipe at the FIA, accusing them of inconsistent decision-making, mismanagement, and a lack of clarity in enforcing the rules. “It feels like every weekend, there are new rules or decisions that don’t make sense. It’s frustrating when the governing body doesn’t show the consistency that the sport needs,” Verstappen said. The Red Bull driver pointed to recent incidents where he felt the FIA failed to deliver a fair judgment, leaving both teams and drivers in a state of confusion.
While Verstappen’s comments were primarily aimed at the FIA’s handling of on-track decisions, they also raised concerns about how the governing body has been managing the overall regulatory environment this season. The FIA has already faced criticism for its inconsistent application of penalties and lack of clear communication, and Verstappen’s statements only intensified these concerns.
However, it wasn’t just Verstappen’s critique of the FIA that caused a stir—it was also the reaction from other drivers, particularly those on the Ferrari team. Sources close to the Scuderia have revealed that one of their top drivers is particularly “very angry” about Verstappen’s remarks. The Ferrari driver, who has been vocal about his own frustrations with the FIA’s decision-making in the past, believes Verstappen’s comments were out of line, suggesting that Red Bull’s dominance this season may have led to a sense of entitlement.
The Ferrari driver’s frustration seems to stem from the notion that Verstappen, who has been nearly unbeatable this season, may be in a position where he feels the FIA’s oversight should be scrutinized more heavily. While many teams and drivers have found themselves on the receiving end of controversial decisions this year, the Ferrari driver seems to feel that Verstappen’s high-profile criticisms could be undermining the FIA’s authority at a time when the sport needs unity and consistency.
The situation has created a rift between some of the top drivers, with Verstappen’s outspoken nature continuing to spark division within the paddock. His direct confrontation with the FIA follows a history of tension between Red Bull and the governing body, with the team often feeling aggrieved by certain rulings, particularly regarding technical and regulatory matters.
In the midst of these tensions, the FIA has yet to respond officially to Verstappen’s remarks. The governing body, which has faced significant scrutiny this season over its rule enforcement and decision-making processes, may need to take action to address the growing divide between drivers and officials. The FIA’s response, or lack thereof, could be pivotal in determining the atmosphere surrounding the sport as the season progresses.
With the F1 calendar heading into the final stages of the season, the ongoing debate over the FIA’s role could become a more prominent issue, especially if the controversies surrounding Verstappen’s dominance and the FIA’s decisions continue to escalate. For now, the focus remains on the upcoming races, where Verstappen and his competitors, including Ferrari, will battle for supremacy on the track—though off-track tensions look set to continue to simmer.
As the war of words between drivers and officials intensifies, all eyes will be on whether the FIA can regain control of the narrative and restore stability in a season that has already seen its fair share of drama and controversy. Meanwhile, Ferrari and other teams will be hoping to capitalize on any slip-ups from Verstappen and Red Bull, even as the larger debate over the future of F1’s governance rages on.