Formula 1 has been plunged into crisis after a chaotic and controversial Monaco Grand Prix triggered a wave of outrage across the paddock. Several top drivers — including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen — have spoken out in unprecedented criticism of the FIA and its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, following what many are calling a “disaster of governance and race control.”

A Race to Forget

The historic streets of Monte Carlo became the stage for what fans and experts are now calling “one of the most mismanaged races in recent F1 memory.” A string of questionable decisions by FIA stewards, including inconsistent penalties, delayed responses to on-track incidents, and poor safety car deployment, threw the entire race weekend into disarray.

The most controversial moment came on Lap 24, when a multi-car incident involving Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, and Williams’ Logan Sargeant brought out a red flag — but the FIA delayed the decision by nearly two laps, allowing several cars to pass debris at full speed.

Drivers Speak Out

In the aftermath, the paddock was seething.

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, didn’t hold back:

“This was embarrassing. Monaco is supposed to be the crown jewel of our sport, but what we saw today was amateur hour. The FIA needs to take accountability — starting from the top.”

Hamilton, who finished sixth after what he called “a strategy-ruining miscommunication from Race Control,” added:

“It’s hard to trust the system when the people running it don’t know what they’re doing.”

Max Verstappen, who finished second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, echoed the frustration:

“It’s not just about racing anymore. We’re dealing with politics, incompetence, and inconsistency. The FIA president talks a lot about safety, but today was the opposite.”

When asked directly if he blamed FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Verstappen nodded.

“Absolutely. Leadership starts at the top, and right now, we don’t have the leadership this sport deserves.”

Team Bosses Join the Firestorm

It wasn’t just the drivers voicing outrage. Team principals from Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren expressed serious concerns in the post-race debriefs.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss, said:

“We’re used to some controversy in Formula 1, but today was different. The lack of clarity and delay in key decisions was unacceptable. If this had happened at a newer circuit, maybe we’d blame inexperience. But this is Monaco — the most iconic race we have.”

Christian Horner, while defending his own team’s performance, called for a formal review:

“We’ll be writing to the FIA. The sport needs transparency. Today was chaotic, and we owe it to the fans and the drivers to do better.”

Fan Backlash and Media Frenzy

Social media platforms lit up in the hours after the race. The hashtag #FIAOut trended worldwide, with fans calling for the resignation of Ben Sulayem. Many shared clips of the delayed red flag decision, radio messages filled with confusion, and inconsistent application of rules during virtual safety car periods.

“I’ve watched F1 for 20 years and never seen anything this mismanaged,” one fan tweeted. “This isn’t just a bad call — it’s a systemic failure.”

Sports networks like Sky Sports, ESPN, and Canal+ all dedicated emergency post-race segments to dissecting the controversy. Veteran analyst Martin Brundle described the FIA’s handling as “alarming and disrespectful to the sport.”

The FIA Responds — But Offers Little

Late Sunday evening, the FIA released a brief and vague statement, acknowledging the “challenging conditions” of the race and promising an internal review. No mention was made of specific incidents or criticisms from drivers and teams.

This only poured fuel on the fire.

Lando Norris, the race winner, even chimed in cautiously:

“I’m happy to have won, of course, but nobody wants to win in a race overshadowed by drama. The FIA needs to look inward.”

What Happens Now?

Pressure is mounting on Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the entire FIA Race Control unit. While the president has not yet made a personal statement, insiders suggest a crisis meeting is being scheduled ahead of the next Grand Prix in Austria.

Calls are growing for an independent investigation into how the Monaco GP was managed, as well as potential changes to Race Control personnel.

If the FIA fails to act decisively, it risks further alienating the very drivers, teams, and fans that make Formula 1 the global powerhouse it is.

As the paddock packs up and the Monaco streets return to normal, one thing is certain: Formula 1’s leadership faces a serious reckoning.