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Following the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, the FIA has imposed a significant penalty on Red Bull Racing due to a pit lane incident involving Max Verstappen during the sprint race. Verstappen was unsafely released into the path of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, leading to a 10-second time penalty that dropped him from fourth to 17th place in the sprint standings. Red Bull attributed the mishap to human error and has chosen not to contest the penalty.
In response to the FIA’s decision, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed strong dissatisfaction, labeling the punishment as “deeply unfair” and accusing the governing body of targeting his team due to their success. Horner criticized the lack of clarity in the FIA’s process and suggested that the penalty serves as a “political tool” to appease rival teams struggling to match Red Bull’s dominance this season.
The FIA’s actions have sparked controversy within the F1 community. While Red Bull faces scrutiny, McLaren CEO Zak Brown dismissed Red Bull’s allegations of McLaren using illegal tyre-cooling methods as “bogus,” emphasizing the need for a formal protest process with financial penalties to prevent distractions. Additionally, the FIA is considering implementing harsher penalties for drivers deliberately cutting the track to maintain position, following incidents involving Haas driver Kevin Magnussen.
These developments have intensified the championship battle, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri extending his lead after a dominant performance in Miami. The FIA’s decisions and the ensuing team reactions underscore the high-stakes environment of Formula 1, where regulatory interpretations can significantly impact the title race.