FIA Orders Red Bull to Replace Verstappen at Canadian GP After Co… read more
June 8, 2025 – Montreal: In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA has officially ordered Red Bull Racing to suspend Max Verstappen from participation following his controversial actions during the Spanish Grand Prix. The decision marks a rare intervention by Formula 1’s governing body and could have major implications for both Red Bull’s championship campaign and Verstappen’s personal legacy.
The decision came after Verstappen was found guilty of “unsportsmanlike conduct” during Lap 43 of the Spanish Grand Prix, where a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell drew immediate scrutiny. Despite serving a 10-second penalty during the race, post-race investigations concluded that Verstappen’s move was not only dangerous but deliberate. The FIA’s disciplinary panel described it as a “reckless act with disregard for driver safety.”
In response, the FIA has enforced a one-race suspension on the reigning World Champion and ordered Red Bull Racing to field a replacement driver for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, set to take place on June 13, 2025, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Red Bull Scrambles for Replacement
With just days to go before the race weekend, Red Bull has been forced into crisis mode. While the team has yet to make an official announcement, sources close to the paddock suggest that reserve driver Liam Lawson is the most likely candidate to fill Verstappen’s seat. Lawson has previous experience in F1, having deputized in several races during the 2023 season.
Other names being floated include Red Bull Junior driver Ayumu Iwasa and even a surprise return of veteran driver Daniel Ricciardo, currently driving for sister team RB. Team principal Christian Horner is expected to announce the decision within the next 48 hours.
“This is not a situation any team wants to be in,” Horner commented in a brief media appearance. “We respect the FIA’s decision, though we don’t entirely agree with the severity. Max is disappointed but understands the importance of upholding the sport’s integrity.”
Verstappen Responds
Max Verstappen issued a short statement via social media, saying, “It’s never easy to sit out a race, especially when fighting for the championship. I accept the FIA’s decision and will use this time to reflect and reset. I’ll be back stronger in Austria.”
The Dutch driver currently sits second in the Drivers’ Championship standings, just six points behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Missing the Canadian Grand Prix could deal a major blow to his title defense, especially with Red Bull also fighting closely with Ferrari and Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings.
FIA Sets a Firm Precedent
The suspension is the first of its kind in nearly a decade and serves as a strong message from the FIA that dangerous driving and retaliatory behavior will not be tolerated—regardless of a driver’s stature in the sport.
As the F1 world turns its attention to Montreal, the spotlight will not only be on the racing action but also on how Red Bull adapts under pressure—and how Verstappen’s absence impacts the championship picture
