In a heated aftermath of the Grand Prix of Monaco 2025, Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, expressed harsh criticism of the FIA. After a controversial punishment that cost him valuable points, he stated bitterly that the motorsport federation was “too biased” in her decision. The Dutchman pointed to an incident with George Russell from Mercedes, with Russell, in his own words, pushing him off the track during a catch -up maneuver in the first round. According to Verstappen, the collision was clearly the fault of Russell, and he found the subsequent punishment of the FIA ​​unjustified and unfair. His eruption has further fueled tensions in Formula 1, especially in a season in which the battle for the championship is unprecedentedly intense.

The incident took place in the opening phase of the race on the tight street circuit of Monaco. Verstappen, who started from third place, tried to catch up with the Nouvelle Chicane. According to the onboard images, the cars became light each other, which forced Verstappen to be briefly off the track. He managed to return without loss of positions, but the stewards ruled that he had benefited by driving outside the track and imposed a five -second time penalty. This punishment cost him a podium place, which only increased his frustration. “I was pushed out, what did I have to do? Touch the wall?” said Verstappen afterwards in the press conference. His words reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the consistency of the FIA ​​decisions.

The FIA ​​defended its position and stated that the punishment was based on Article 33.4 of the sporting regulations, which states that drivers are not allowed to benefit by leaving the job. According to the stewards, Verstappen had retained the position by driving outside the track, which justified a punishment. However, this explanation was received with skepticism by Red Bull, which has been questioning the neutrality of the FIA ​​for some time. Team boss Christian Horner supported Verstappen and pointed out earlier incidents this season in which other drivers, including Russell, were, according to him, milder for similar violations. “The FIA ​​seems to be selectively punished,” Horner noted, with which he further strengthened the suggestion of bias.

Russell himself denied some set -up in the incident. “It was a normal racing action. I gave him space, but Monaco is narrow,” the Brit said in a response. He emphasized that he was not trying to gain an advantage and that the collision was an unhappy consequence of the battle for position. The Mercedes driver, who makes a strong impression this season, ended the race on stage, which only increased the frustration at Verstappen and Red Bull. The rivalry between the two teams is particularly intense this year, with Mercedes who is a serious challenger for Red Bull and McLaren after years of disadvantaged.

The discussion about the punishment of Verstappen touches on a broader problem in Formula 1: the consistency of the line enforcement. Fans and analysts have been criticizing the apparent arbitrariness in some FIA ​​decisions. A similar incident earlier this season in Miami, in which Lando Norris and Sergio Pérez touched each other, for example, did not lead to a punishment, which raised questions about the criteria that the stewards use. Verstappen, who is known for his pronounced attitude, said that he expects the FIA ​​to become more transparent about her decisions. “If they want us to respect their judgment, they must earn it first,” he said sharp.

For Red Bull, the punishment is extra painful in a season in which the competition is fiercer than ever. McLaren leads the constructors championship, while Mercedes and Ferrari are lurking. Verstappen, who is still in the lead in the drivers’ championship, feels the pressure increasing, especially now his lead is shrinking. The Grand Prix of Monaco, traditionally a key race in the season, has further focused the tensions. With a few more races to go, including the challenging circuits of Spa and Zandvoort, the struggle to get the title a blistering lock.

The comments from Verstappen have not only put pressure on the FIA, but also revived the discussion about honesty in sport. While the teams are preparing for the next race, the question will remain whether the FIA ​​can apply its rules more consistently. It is clear to Verstappen: he expects justice, otherwise his confidence in the federation will decrease further.