Max Verstappen Tells McLaren to ‘Call the FIA’ as He Slams “Unacceptable” Penalty at Las Vegas GP
Max Verstappen has waded into the heated fallout over Oscar Piastri’s controversial penalty from the Brazilian Grand Prix, telling the McLaren star that if he feels wronged, he should take the matter “directly to the FIA.” The reigning world champion made his feelings clear ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, adding yet another layer to the growing debate over Formula 1 officiating this season.
The Penalty That Sparked Outrage
The incident in question took place at the Sao Paulo race when Oscar Piastri attempted an overtake on Kimi Antonelli during the restart behind the safety car. The manoeuvre spiralled into chaos: Piastri clipped Antonelli’s Mercedes, sending the Italian rookie into Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari. The contact left Leclerc with terminal damage and forced him out of the race entirely.
The stewards concluded that Piastri was 100 percent responsible and handed him a 10-second time penalty plus two penalty points on his super licence. But instead of settling the matter, the ruling has triggered a wave of criticism from drivers, fans, and team insiders who argue that Piastri could not have reasonably avoided the collision.
Carlos Sainz Calls the Penalty “Unacceptable”
One of the loudest critics has been Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who did not mince words when speaking to reporters ahead of the Las Vegas race.
Sainz stated bluntly that the decision “makes no sense,” adding that anyone who has ever raced a high-speed car would understand that Piastri was in an impossible position.
> “For me, the fact that Oscar got a penalty in Brazil is unacceptable,” Sainz said. “This is the pinnacle of motorsport. Everyone who has seen proper racing knows Oscar wasn’t at fault. He could do absolutely nothing to avoid the contact.”
Sainz went further, calling for an urgent meeting between drivers, stewards, and officials to address what he describes as a pattern of inconsistent judgment.
He cited several other incidents this season—including his own penalty at Zandvoort and the penalty given to Oliver Bearman after a clash in Monza—as examples of rulings that, in his view, stray far from the spirit of fair competition.
> “There have been multiple decisions this year that simply don’t match the level this sport should be operating at,” Sainz added.
The Championship Impact
Piastri’s penalty has had immediate consequences on the title fight. Entering the Las Vegas weekend, the Australian sits 24 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who leads the championship standings. With only three races remaining, every point is critical—and the penalty has given Norris a valuable advantage in the McLaren intra-team duel.
Current standings:
1️⃣ Lando Norris – 390 pts
2️⃣ Oscar Piastri – 366 pts
3️⃣ Max Verstappen – 341 pts
While the title remains mathematically open, the Brazil penalty has undeniably damaged Piastri’s momentum at a crucial point in the season.
Verstappen: “If He Has a Problem, Call the FIA”
Max Verstappen, speaking to the Dutch media in Las Vegas, offered his perspective—one that was more pragmatic, but no less pointed. The Red Bull star acknowledged the confusion surrounding the decision and admitted that his team would likely have made far more noise if he had been hit with such a penalty.
> “I don’t know why they handled it like that,” Verstappen said. “Of course you can be angry, but the penalty is already given. You just have to accept it.”
However, Verstappen did not dismiss Piastri’s frustration. Instead, he suggested a direct course of action:
> “If you have a problem with it, then you should contact the stewards or the FIA. Talk to them and maybe things can change for the future.”
His comments highlight a growing tension between drivers and race control, with many feeling that the system lacks transparency and consistency.
A Season Marked by Controversy
The Piastri incident is only the latest in a string of contentious stewarding decisions that have shaped the 2025 season. Drivers have repeatedly voiced concerns about penalties issued for unavoidable race-craft moments, inconsistent application of rules, and the lack of clear communication between the FIA and teams.
With the championship nearing its conclusion and tensions at an all-season high, the debate over officiating standards is becoming one of the defining storylines of the year.
As the paddock heads into a crucial Las Vegas weekend, one thing is clear: the calls for reform are growing louder, and even champions like Verstappen believe it’s time for drivers to take their grievances straight to the top.
