Verstappen Learns His Fate After FIA Rules on ‘Dangerous’ Qualifying Incident with Norris in Miami
Max Verstappen, reigning Formula 1 world champion, has received an official decision from the FIA following a controversial moment during sprint qualifying at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver came under scrutiny for an incident involving McLaren’s Lando Norris during the first session of sprint qualifying (SQ1) on Friday.
The situation unfolded when Verstappen was alleged to have obstructed Norris during a critical push lap. Onboard footage and trackside observations appeared to show Verstappen’s car impeding the McLaren at a key moment, leading Norris to vent his frustration over the team radio. Although the FIA’s summons didn’t specifically name Norris, Verstappen and a Red Bull team representative were called before the stewards to explain the incident.
The Dutch driver was investigated for possibly breaching Article 33.4 of the FIA Sporting Regulations. This article prohibits drivers from driving “unnecessarily slowly” in a way that could be considered unsafe or cause disruption to others on track. Additionally, Verstappen’s actions were examined under Article 12.2.1 i) of the FIA International Sporting Code, which covers unsportsmanlike behavior or general misconduct.
Verstappen has previously faced similar accusations. At the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, he received a one-place grid penalty for holding up George Russell during a qualifying session. That decision was relatively lenient, as both drivers were not on flying laps. However, the stewards warned at the time that harsher penalties could be handed out in future incidents if they affected an opponent’s timed effort.
In Miami, the circumstances were different and potentially more serious. Norris was reportedly on a fast lap when the alleged block occurred, increasing the severity of the situation. If the stewards concluded that Verstappen’s actions had hindered Norris’ performance, they were expected to apply a more significant punishment.
Despite the incident, Norris managed to push through and complete all three sprint qualifying sessions successfully, ultimately earning third on the sprint race grid. Verstappen secured fourth place. However, if a penalty had been imposed, it could have altered the sprint starting order and possibly affected Verstappen’s position in the main Grand Prix, depending on the nature of the ruling.
After reviewing the evidence, the FIA has now issued its verdict. While specific details of the punishment have not been made public at the time of writing, any sanction will carry implications not only for the Miami sprint race but also for the championship picture. Verstappen is once again locked in a tight title battle, and any grid drop or disciplinary action could have ripple effects in Red Bull’s bid to extend its dominance this season.
The outcome of this investigation reinforces the FIA’s renewed commitment to enforcing track discipline during qualifying sessions, especially in light of increasing concerns over driver safety and fairness. As tensions rise on and off the track, all eyes will remain on how Verstappen handles the aftermath — both in his response to the penalty and in his performance across the Miami race weekend.
