In a dramatic twist that has shaken the Formula 1 paddock, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has publicly called on the FIA to fine Red Bull Racing after what he described as “unbelievable” allegations of regulatory misconduct emerged this week. The incident, which quickly escalated into a war of words between teams and top officials, now involves not only Red Bull star driver Max Verstappen, but also the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced suggesting that Red Bull may have breached a “grey area” of the FIA’s sporting regulations related to team communication and data sharing during the most recent Grand Prix weekend. While details remain under investigation, several insiders claim that the issue centers around real-time data transfers that may have given Red Bull a competitive edge over rivals.
Zak Brown wasted no time in responding. During a press conference following the race, the McLaren boss made his position clear: “If the FIA wants to maintain the integrity of this sport, it must act. What we’ve seen is unbelievable, and it undermines the fairness we all work so hard to uphold. If proven, this cannot go without penalty — and I believe a fine is the minimum response.”
Brown’s comments quickly spread through the paddock and across social media, sparking widespread debate among fans and experts. Some praised Brown’s willingness to stand up for fairness in the sport, while others accused him of political posturing, especially given McLaren’s recent resurgence in performance.
Red Bull Racing, for its part, issued a sharp rebuttal. Team Principal Christian Horner called the allegations “baseless and sensationalist,” accusing rivals of trying to distract from their own shortcomings. “We operate within the rules. Every action is logged and shared with the FIA. These accusations are just noise,” Horner told reporters.
Things escalated further when Max Verstappen, currently leading the Drivers’ Championship, addressed the media. “I don’t like politics in racing,” said the Dutch driver. “This is supposed to be about what we do on track, not what’s said off it. I trust my team, and I think this is all a bit blown out of proportion.”
The situation took a more serious tone when FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem made an unplanned appearance in the paddock to comment on the matter. “We are aware of the allegations,” he confirmed. “An internal review has already begun. The FIA takes any suggestion of unfair advantage or regulatory breach extremely seriously. We will follow the facts, and any action taken will be based on concrete evidence — not public pressure.”
The FIA’s involvement has added significant weight to the situation, and many now believe a ruling could come within weeks. If Red Bull is found to have violated any regulations, potential consequences range from a fine — as demanded by Zak Brown — to stricter sanctions such as points deductions or technical restrictions in upcoming races.
This isn’t the first time that Red Bull has found itself in hot water. In 2022, the team was fined for a minor breach of the cost cap, a penalty that many — including Zak Brown — viewed as insufficient. “It’s about consistency,” Brown added. “We need to send a clear message that no team is above the rules.”
As the 2025 season heats up, this latest controversy adds fuel to the already intense rivalry between top teams. Whether it’s just paddock politics or a serious infraction remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Formula 1 is once again under the microscope, and the next move by the FIA could reshape the title race — and the sport — in significant ways.
