The fallout from the dramatic clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix has taken a new turn, as Verstappen publicly accused the FIA of being “too biased” in their handling of the incident. The reigning World Champion made the explosive claim after receiving a post-race time penalty for allegedly rejoining the track unsafely following his collision with Russell — a decision that has left both fans and experts stunned.

The Incident Revisited

On lap 38 of the race, George Russell — on fresher tires — attempted a late dive into Turn 1 as he came out of the pits behind Verstappen. The Mercedes driver locked up slightly and collided with Verstappen’s Red Bull, forcing both cars off the track. Verstappen managed to rejoin and continue racing despite floor damage, while Russell suffered a puncture and was forced to retire shortly afterward.

While initial blame appeared to rest on Russell, a late investigation by the stewards concluded that Verstappen had re-entered the circuit in an “unsafe manner,” gaining an advantage in the process. The Dutchman was handed a five-second time penalty and one penalty point, which dropped him from P6 to P8 in the final classification.

Verstappen’s Furious Response

Visibly angry after the race, Verstappen didn’t hold back during his media interviews. When asked about the decision, he fired off a scathing critique of the sport’s governing body:

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. George completely missed his braking point, crashed into me, and pushed me off. And now I’m the one getting a penalty? The FIA are too biased. It’s always the same — certain drivers get away with it, and others don’t. Today, they made it clear who they’re protecting.”

“I rejoined safely, I checked my mirrors, I was not even gaining a place — I was just trying to survive with a damaged car. Yet somehow, I get punished while the guy who caused the crash gets off lightly.”

This is one of Verstappen’s strongest public criticisms of the FIA in recent years and has reignited debates about consistency in stewarding decisions.

Mercedes and Russell Stay Quiet

While Red Bull erupted with anger, Mercedes chose a more diplomatic approach. Team principal Toto Wolff refused to comment directly on Verstappen’s accusations but reiterated the team’s belief that Russell’s move was “on the edge, but not intentional.”

Russell himself gave little away, saying only:

“I haven’t seen the footage yet. From the car, it felt like a racing incident. I went for the move, there was contact — unfortunately these things happen when we’re pushing hard.”

FIA’s Defense

In response to the growing criticism, the FIA released a statement defending their decision:

“The penalty given to Car 1 (Verstappen) was based solely on the rejoin procedure, not the initial contact. Our investigation concluded that Verstappen did not follow the designated rejoin protocol, which could have endangered others on track. The penalty was not influenced by the actions of Car 63 (Russell).”

The FIA also emphasized that no further action would be taken against Russell, describing the clash as a “racing incident with no clear intent or reckless behavior.”

Reactions from the Paddock

Verstappen’s comments have divided the paddock. While some drivers privately supported his view, others warned that inflammatory statements against the FIA could set a dangerous precedent.

Former F1 World Champion and pundit Nico Rosberg offered a more balanced view:

“I understand Max’s frustration — from a driver’s point of view, it always feels unfair when you get hit and then get penalized. But rejoining the track has very clear rules. Even if you’re not at fault for the crash, the way you come back onto the circuit still matters.”

Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris, who benefited from Verstappen’s penalty by gaining a position, added:

“We all want consistent stewarding. I don’t know if bias is the right word, but I agree it sometimes feels inconsistent. Hopefully, the FIA listens to all sides and improves things.”

Fans React

The F1 community exploded online following the FIA’s decision. The hashtag #FIAOut began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with many fans calling for greater transparency and accountability in race control.

One post that gained thousands of likes read:

“So Max gets hit, re-enters the track safely, and gets a penalty? FIA logic: If you survive a crash, you get punished.”

Others, however, accused Verstappen of overreacting, suggesting that his dominance in recent seasons had perhaps shielded him from more scrutiny in the past.

What’s Next?

The controversy casts a shadow over the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, where tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes are expected to be even higher. Verstappen will enter the race trailing Norris by just six points in the drivers’ standings, setting up a tight and potentially explosive title fight.

Whether Verstappen will be summoned for his comments about FIA bias remains unclear, but the incident has undoubtedly shaken the sport’s image of neutrality and fairness. As the 2025 season continues, one thing is certain — the gloves are off.