The 2025 Miami Grand Prix is ​​the scene of an unexpected drama, not on the track, but behind the scenes of Formula 1. Frédéric Vasseur, the boss of Scuderia Ferrari, has unveiled a media storm ahead of the FIA ​​after a controversial sanction inflicted on its star driver, Lewis Hamilton. This outburst, as audacious as it was unexpected, set the paddock in turmoil, until Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, responded with a terse six-word phrase that left everyone, including Vasseur, speechless.

A controversial penalty

It all started during the Miami Grand Prix, the 5th round of the 2025 season. Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, copied a 5-second penalty for a mining violation during an overly aggressive pass by the stewards. This decision, which relegated Hamilton from fifth to seventh place, was surprising for its timing and its apparent severity. When the sprint came to Hamilton with a resounding victory, this penalty at the Grand Prix seemed a disproportionate sanction.

Frédéric Vasseur, known for his outspokenness, didn’t mince his words during the post-race press conference. “This penalty is strange, not to say incomprehensible,” he said, his face etched with frustration. “Lewis raced cleanly, he pushed the car to its limits, as any champion would. Penalizing this sends a confusing message to the drivers and fans. The FIA ​​must clarify its criteria, because we’re swimming in complete confusion here.” These remarks, unusually direct for a team principal of Vasseur’s stature, immediately inflamed social media and specialist media.

A critique in a tense context

This sortie is not anodyne. For several years, the FIA, under the direction of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has had to face recurring criticism for its lack of transparency and its decisions sometimes perceived as inconsistent. Vasseur, who has already expressed reservations about some of the FIA’s decisions, seems to have chosen Miami to stage a coup. He plays commenting on the intervention in a context in which Ferrari, after a difficult season debut marked by a double disqualification in China, is trying to assert its position in the face of competitors such as Red Bull and McLaren.

But Vasseur did not just criticize the penalty. He also pointed to possible unfairness in the treatment of drivers. “Why sanction Lewis for a daring overtaking, then other similar incidents went unnoticed?” he asked, implicitly referring to past decisions that would have favored certain drivers, such as Max Verstappen. The remark has reignited tensions between Ferrari and the FIA, evoking the 2023 controversy over the annulment of a penalty for Alonso in Saudi Arabia, where Ben Sulayem was accused of interference.

Ben Sulayem’s chirping response

In the face of this charge, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was not slow to react. In a brief statement on the sidelines of the paddock, the FIA ​​president launched a phrase that felt like a bombshell: “The rules apply, not the emotions.” These six words, uttered with glacial calm, did not only close the debate, but also my boss in a delicate position. Suggesting that Ferrari’s critics were driven by emotion stronger than reason, Ben Sulayem has often taken up the argument against the French, reaffirming the FIA’s authority.

This response was divided among observers. For sure, it suggests the necessary restraint to maintain order in even competitive sport. For others, it reflects a certain arrogance on the part of Ben Sulayem, who seems inclined to engage in dialogue with the écuries. On social networks, Hamilton fans denounced a “lack of respect” towards their champion, while others welcomed the brevity and effectiveness of the reply.

A battle that surpassed Miami

This exchange is not the latest episode in a complex relationship between Vasseur, Ferrari and the FIA. Since taking over the Scuderia in 2023, Vasseur has sought to restore Ferrari to its former glory, while navigating the troubled waters of regulatory controversies. His stances, such as his unwavering support for Hamilton in the face of criticism about his age or performance, show a manager ready to defend his drivers at all costs.

But this comparison with Ben Sulayem could have even greater repercussions. As the next races approach, notably in Imola and Monaco, the pressure will be on Ferrari to prove that its performance on the track can speak louder than the controversies. On this side, the FIA ​​must demonstrate that its decisions are fair and consistent, so as not to alienate the curios and the fans.

Conclusion: a sport under tension

The 2025 Miami Grand Prix will be remembered not only for its on-track spectacle, but also for this verbal clash between two major figures in Formula 1. Frédéric Vasseur, with his bold criticism, reminded everyone that Ferrari will not remain silent in the face of what it perceives as injustice. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with his scathing response, has asserted his authority, but there is no risk of stoking the tension. In this sport, every time it is told, this battle on the track can influence the dynamics of the season. One thing is certain: Formula 1 never ceases to surprise us.