The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has clarified the penalty imposed on Max Verstappen during the Miami Grand Prix, addressing concerns about fairness and consistency in Formula 1 officiating.
Incident Overview
During the race, Verstappen ran over a bollard at the chicane between Turns 14 and 15, causing damage to his Red Bull car’s floor. Despite this, he continued to compete, eventually finishing second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris .
FIA’s Explanation
The FIA’s decision to penalize Verstappen was based on a breach of Article 56.5 of the sporting regulations. Specifically, Verstappen was found to be 0.63 seconds below the minimum time at the end of a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period, indicating he gained a sporting advantage. The stewards noted that while Verstappen attempted to correct his pace upon realizing the discrepancy, he failed to do so before the VSC ended .
Broader Implications
This incident has reignited discussions about the consistency of FIA’s penalty decisions. Drivers and team principals have expressed concerns over perceived inconsistencies in rule enforcement, particularly regarding penalties for infractions like swearing or political statements . FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has acknowledged these concerns and is considering revisions to the sporting code to address them .
As Formula 1 continues to evolve, the FIA’s handling of such incidents will remain under scrutiny, with stakeholders advocating for clearer communication and more consistent application of the rules.
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