FIA Announces Pre-Race Inspection of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Ahead of Miami Grand Prix
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing find themselves in the spotlight once again as the FIA has confirmed that his car was subject to a post-race inspection following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion now heads into the Miami Grand Prix weekend looking to reclaim momentum after a somewhat turbulent start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Despite being a three-time world champion and one of the sport’s most dominant drivers in recent years, Verstappen has faced some challenges this year. In Jeddah, he finished in second place, trailing behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who claimed victory. The result came after Verstappen was handed a five-second time penalty for an incident with Piastri on the opening lap — a decision that drew criticism from both the Dutch driver and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
Following the race in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen’s RB21 car was one of the randomly selected vehicles from the top 10 finishers to undergo more extensive post-race scrutineering by the FIA. This standard practice is intended to ensure compliance with the sport’s technical regulations and is not necessarily a result of any wrongdoing or suspicion.
According to official FIA documentation released as part of the procedural paperwork for the Miami Grand Prix, the Red Bull car was closely examined. Inspectors checked various technical components including the engine air intake, oil and coolant systems, charge air cooling, and associated sensors. All of these components are essential to the performance and legality of a Formula 1 car. The inspection also extended to the loom routing and electrical connections to the Standard Electronic Control Unit (SECU) and other critical systems.
The governing body later issued a formal statement confirming that all the examined parts on Verstappen’s car complied fully with the 2025 Formula 1 technical regulations. No irregularities or breaches were found, clearing both Verstappen and Red Bull of any technical concerns following the Jeddah Grand Prix.
Nonetheless, the tension around Verstappen’s recent penalty continues to linger. The Dutch driver was visibly frustrated following the Saudi race and chose not to address the incident publicly in post-race interviews. He was seen in a heated exchange with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem after the race, a moment that captured the frustration within the Red Bull camp.
Team principal Christian Horner also expressed disappointment with the penalty decision. The five-second time drop was enough to cost Verstappen the win, highlighting the high-stakes nature of such rulings in the current championship climate — especially in a season where McLaren has emerged as the leading force. With Piastri’s victory, McLaren extended their early dominance, increasing pressure on Red Bull to bounce back quickly.
Now, as the Formula 1 circus heads to Miami, all eyes will be on Verstappen to see whether he and Red Bull can rebound. The team has a strong track record in the United States, and Verstappen will be hoping to use the Miami Grand Prix as a springboard to get his title defense back on track.
Red Bull is expected to bring upgrades to their RB21 package, and the Miami circuit, with its mix of fast straights and tight corners, could play to the car’s strengths. However, any misstep — whether technical, strategic, or regulatory — could invite further scrutiny or even penalties, making a clean weekend essential.
The FIA’s decision to release the inspection details ahead of the Miami event can also be seen as a statement of transparency, reaffirming the governing body’s commitment to fairness and adherence to the rules. While Verstappen’s penalty in Jeddah remains a sore point, the clean bill of health from the FIA inspection should give the team some reassurance moving forward.
The coming weekend will be crucial for Verstappen and Red Bull. With McLaren in strong form and other teams like Ferrari and Mercedes closing in, the margin for error continues to shrink. If Verstappen is to mount a serious defense of his title, Miami could prove to be a pivotal turning point — not just for his championship hopes, but for Red Bull’s season as a whole.
With renewed focus, the team will be aiming to stay out of controversy and let their performance do the talking. One thing is certain: the pressure is on, and the world will be watching.
