In a dramatic turn of events in the Formula 1 paddock, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has publicly criticised the FIA, the sport’s governing body, for what he sees as an unfair bias in their penalty decisions, particularly aimed at Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The outspoken Canadian, known for his outspoken commentary, has reignited a debate over the consistency and impartiality of stewardship in the sport, particularly as Verstappen challenges for the 2025 Championship. Villeneuve’s comments come at a crucial time, with Verstappen facing the threat of a race ban after accumulating penalty points in recent races.

Villeneuve’s statement focuses on what he describes as a pattern of inconsistent rulings from the FIA, with Verstappen seemingly on the receiving end of harsher punishments compared to his championship rivals, most notably McLaren’s Oscar Piattri. The controversy stems from Verstappen’s recent run-ins, most notably at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he was involved in two collisions with Mercedes’ George Russell. The incidents resulted in a 10-second penalty and three additional penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, putting him at a precarious 11 points—just one point shy of an automatic one-race ban. Villeneuve argues that similar transgressions from other drivers, such as Piastri, have been prosecuted with leniency, creating an imbalance in the sport’s competitive landscape.

The Spanish Grand Prix incidents have been a focal point of Villeneuve’s criticism. Verstappen, instructed by Red Bull to concede a position to Russell after he had gained an advantage by leaving the track, reacted angrily and collided with Russell again in turn 5. The FIA ​​deemed Verstappen “clearly unlucky” and responsible for the second collision, leading to the hefty penalty. However, Villeneuve argues that the FIA’s decision-making process lacks clarity and fairness. He points to an instance at the Miami Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for an unsafe pit lane release involving Kimi Antonelli, while other drivers in similar situations faced lighter or no consequences. Villeneuve suggests that Piastri, whom he calls Formula 1’s “Golden Child”, is benefiting from more favourable treatment by the stewards, a claim that has caused heated debate among fans and analysts.

Villeneuve’s allegations are not without precedent. He draws parallels with past championship battles, such as the intense rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, where he believes similar discrepancies in coverage decisions were evident. “If they made the same move, Nico would get a penalty. In the next race, if Lewis made the same move, he would not be penalized,” Villeneuve noted, highlighting what he sees as a recurring issue of human bias in the FIA’s rulings. This perceived favoritism, he argues, is now working against Verstappen, who has been a dominant force in the sport but is facing mounting scrutiny as he chases another title.

The timing of Villeneuve’s statement is significant, as Verstappen’s fine does not expire until after the Austrian Grand Prix, meaning he will have to navigate the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix without any further violations to avoid a ban. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has also expressed frustration at the FIA’s lack of clear guidance during the Spanish Grand Prix, where the team preemptively instructed Verstappen to forfeit a position to avoid a stiffer fine, only to learn post-race that no penalty was necessary for the initial incident. This miscommunication, Horner argues, underscores the need for the FIA ​​to provide real-time clarity to teams during races.

Villeneuve’s outspoken criticism has renewed calls from drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, for greater transparency and driver involvement in FIA discussions. Hamilton recently called for a formal platform through which drivers can engage with the governing body to address concerns about stewardship and regulations. The debate over the consistency of the penalty is not new, but Villeneuve’s bold statement has amplified the issue, putting pressure on FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to address these concerns as he prepares to run for re-election later this year.

As Formula 1 enters a crucial phase of the 2025 season, the spotlight is firmly on the FIA’s stewarding decisions. Verstappen, a four-time world champion, remains a polarising figure and Villeneuve’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing narrative over whether the sport’s rules are being applied fairly. With the championship battle heating up, the FIA ​​faces increasing scrutiny to ensure fairness, consistency and clarity in its rulings to uphold the integrity of the sport.