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The FIA has issued late penalties to two Formula 1 drivers following the 2025 Miami Grand Prix sprint race, significantly altering the final standings.
Max Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for an unsafe pit release, which dropped him from a potential points finish to 17th place. This marks the first time since 2016 that Verstappen has finished outside the points in a race.
Liam Lawson was handed a 5-second penalty for causing a collision with Fernando Alonso. This penalty affected his final position, contributing to the reshuffling of the race results.
These penalties were part of a series of post-race decisions that reshaped the outcome of the sprint race. Lando Norris was declared the winner for McLaren, benefiting from strategic pit decisions and a race conclusion under a safety car. Oscar Piastri, who led early in the race, finished second due to team strategy and safety car timing, while Lewis Hamilton claimed third by being the first to switch to slick tyres.
The FIA’s late penalty decisions have sparked discussions within the F1 community about the timing and consistency of such rulings, especially when they significantly impact race outcomes.