Breaking: Possible Suspension Looms as FIA Warns Red Bull Over… Read more
Red Bull Racing has received a serious warning from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Formula 1’s governing body, due to its strong response to a penalty issued to Max Verstappen during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The warning follows Red Bull’s official request for a review of the stewards’ decision—a move that has raised concerns within the FIA about the team’s conduct and the tone of their challenge.
Sources close to the matter suggest FIA officials view Red Bull’s actions as verging on insubordination. They argue that the team’s outspoken criticism and formal petition reflect a lack of respect for the authority of the race stewards, who are tasked with enforcing the rules of the sport. While it is not unusual for F1 teams to contest penalties, the FIA believes Red Bull’s approach in this instance may have gone too far.
The controversy centers around a penalty that negatively impacted Verstappen’s position in the race. Red Bull has been vocal in its disagreement, stating that Verstappen’s actions during the incident in question were in line with competitive racing standards and did not merit the penalty he received. They argue the decision was unjust and potentially damaging to their driver’s title hopes.
From the FIA’s perspective, however, the team’s challenge is seen as undermining the authority of the sport’s regulatory system. Officials, including FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, are reportedly concerned that allowing such strong pushback could set a troubling precedent, threatening the integrity and consistency of rule enforcement in Formula 1.
In response to Red Bull’s conduct, the FIA has issued a formal warning, making it clear that any further attempts to publicly question or discredit the stewards’ authority could result in harsher penalties. These could include fines, point deductions, or—if the defiance continues—suspension from races, although such a measure would be considered a last resort.
The warning has attracted widespread attention across the paddock. While some teams understand Red Bull’s frustration, many
