The Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for May 4, 2025, began with a high-profile incident during sprint qualifying on Friday. Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion and Red Bull driver, was investigated by FIA stewards for an alleged breach of the rules. The Dutchman was alleged to have driven too slowly during a run-out lap in SQ2, exceeding the maximum delta time between the two safety car lines. Although Red Bull and Verstappen were found guilty of breaking the rules, Verstappen escaped punishment, with the team only receiving a reprimand. The FIA ​​pointed to a programming error as the bizarre reason behind the violation, which caused a stir in the Formula 1 world, as reported by Motorsport.com and GPFans.

Under FIA regulations, drivers are not allowed to drive unnecessarily slowly during qualifying sessions to avoid dangerous situations. The race director had set a maximum lap time of 1 minute and 45 seconds between the safety car lines for the Miami weekend, based on practice times. Verstappen was found to be six seconds over this limit during one lap in SQ2, which led to a call to the stewards. After speaking with Verstappen and a Red Bull representative, and after analyzing telemetry, video and timing, the stewards concluded that the violation was due to a programming error in Verstappen’s car. The dashboard displayed a delta time with a deviation of six seconds, making Verstappen believe he was driving within the regulations, when in fact he was too slow.

The telemetry confirmed that Verstappen drove consistently, without hindering other cars, as if he was controlling the delta time by six seconds. Red Bull discovered the error after the first cool-down lap and immediately instructed Verstappen to adjust his speed so that he would be six seconds below the displayed delta time. He did this on all subsequent laps, which was supported by the telemetry. The stewards ruled that Verstappen, based on the information in his car, was not driving “unnecessarily slowly” and did not create a dangerous situation. He was therefore cleared of a personal penalty. Responsibility was placed on Red Bull, who were reprimanded because the team must ensure correct timing information. However, the stewards warned that a similar infringement under different circumstances could be punished more severely.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions. On X, some fans praised the FIA ​​for their leniency, with posts reading: “Max was unlucky with that mistake, good he doesn’t get a penalty.” Others found the explanation odd, with one post stating: “A programming error? That sounds like a lame excuse for a top team.” The reprimand for Red Bull highlights the high expectations placed on the FIA, especially after previous incidents this season, such as Verstappen’s five-second penalty at Brazil 2024 for a Virtual Safety Car infringement, as reported by Formula1.com.

The incident overshadowed Verstappen’s performance in Miami, where he finished fourth in sprint qualifying behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli and both McLaren drivers. Verstappen complained of understeer in his RB21, which limited his speed in the slow corners, as he explained to Sky Sports. Despite the disappointing qualifying, he remains the championship leader with 112 points, but the pressure is mounting with strong competition from McLaren and Ferrari. The programming error is a rare lapse for Red Bull, known for its precision, and raises questions about their preparation.

The case highlights a wider tension in Formula 1: the strict enforcement of rules versus human and technical error. Verstappen, who has clashed with the FIA ​​over penalties before, including his community service in Singapore for foul language, appears to be at the centre of attention again. The reprimand for Red Bull is mild compared to potential grid penalties, but the FIA’s warning suggests future mistakes will not be taken so lightly. As Miami prepares for the sprint race and feature race, Verstappen remains focused on maximising his chances despite the bizarre twist of this infraction. His talent and resilience will be crucial to weathering this storm and maintaining his championship lead.