F1 news today: Villeneuve Accuses FIA Stewards of….readmore
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has stirred controversy by claiming that the FIA stewards are showing bias in the way they hand out penalties—particularly when it comes to Red Bull driver and reigning champion Max Verstappen.
The comments came after a dramatic weekend at the Miami Grand Prix, where Verstappen found himself at the center of a contentious incident during the sprint race. The Dutch driver was handed a 10-second time penalty following a pit lane collision with young Mercedes talent Kimi Antonelli. The penalty proved costly, sending Verstappen to the back of the field and severely limiting his chances of scoring points.
Villeneuve didn’t hold back in his criticism of the decision, arguing that similar incidents involving other drivers often go unpunished or are dealt with less harshly. He questioned whether Verstappen’s dominant reputation and aggressive style have led to him being unfairly targeted by race officials.
“Max is being treated differently,” Villeneuve said. “There’s a pattern emerging where his actions are scrutinized more heavily than others. It’s as if he’s being penalized not just for what happens on track, but for who he is.”
The penalty capped off a frustrating sprint for Verstappen, who had been in strong form throughout the season. Though he mounted a recovery drive, the time loss was too great to overcome, and he finished the sprint outside of the points.
Sunday’s main race offered some redemption, but not a return to the top step of the podium. After initially leading the race, Verstappen was overtaken on Lap 14 by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who went on to win his third consecutive Grand Prix. Verstappen eventually crossed the line in fourth place—a respectable result, but a disappointing one for a driver accustomed to dominating.
Piastri’s victory has added further intrigue to the 2025 championship battle, as he continues to close the gap on the title leader. Meanwhile, Villeneuve’s remarks have sparked fresh debate about consistency and fairness in F1 officiating.
As tensions rise both on and off the track, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see how the FIA responds—and whether Verstappen continues to find himself under the microscope in the races to come.
