The Formula 1 world has been turned upside down after a surprise announcement from Victoria Verstappen, the sister of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, left fans and insiders in shock. The 26-year-old influencer and entrepreneur, who often lives in the shadow of her brother, has just dropped a bombshell with an announcement that has shaken the sport to its foundations. At the same time, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reportedly threatened to ban her from attending her brother’s races, an unprecedented escalation that has further increased tensions surrounding Max Verstappen and the FIA. The development, which comes ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix from May 30 to June 1, 2025, is dominating conversations in the paddock and on social media.

Victoria, who has built a significant following for her fashion and lifestyle content, made her announcement in an Instagram post that quickly went viral. While the exact details of her statement have not been fully released, sources close to the Verstappen family have suggested that it is an ambitious project that directly touches the Formula 1 world, possibly a media platform or an initiative that makes the sport more accessible to fans. Her post, accompanied by the cryptic message “The future of F1 starts now,” led to speculation on X, with users such as @F1Insider suggesting that Victoria may be looking to play a role in reshaping how fans access the sport. Another post from @RacingFanatic hinted at a potential partnership with a streaming service, which could challenge F1’s traditional broadcast structure.

However, the FIA’s response was unexpected and fierce. According to insiders, Ben Sulayem, who has been at the helm of the motorsport governing body since 2021, threatened to ban Victoria from the paddock during the Spanish Grand Prix. The reason for this threat is said to be related to her announcement, which could potentially threaten the commercial interests of the FIA ​​or Formula One Management (FOM). A source close to the FIA ​​said that Ben Sulayem is concerned about unauthorised initiatives that could undermine the governing body’s control over the sport. This comes on top of recent tensions between the FIA ​​and Max Verstappen, who came under fire in 2024 for his criticism of stewards and his language on the radio, for which he was given a community service order after using a swear word during a press conference.

Max Verstappen, who hopes to close the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri in Barcelona, ​​has not yet publicly responded to the threat against his sister. However, his father, Jos Verstappen, expressed his frustration with the FIA’s approach in an interview with De Telegraaf , calling it “unfair” that families are involved in professional disputes. On X, fans reflect a divided opinion, with some, like @MotorsportFan, supporting Victoria’s attempt to innovate the sport, while others, like @F1Purist, believe she is overstepping her mark by interfering in the F1 world.

The timing of this controversy is notable given the FIA’s recent rule changes, such as stricter controls on flexible front wings, which forced McLaren to modify their car after FP1 in Barcelona. These tensions have further inflamed the rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren, with Max 25 points behind in the championship. Victoria’s announcement, which potentially touches on the commercial or media dynamics of the sport, appears to have heightened the FIA’s vigilance, especially after previous controversies surrounding political statements by drivers, such as those of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, who have been under stricter rules since 2022.

As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, the paddock remains in turmoil. Victoria’s unexpected entrance into the F1 world, combined with the threat from Ben Sulayem, adds a new layer to an already tumultuous 2025 storyline. Whether her project will transform the sport or isolate her from the F1 community remains unclear. For now, Victoria Verstappen has proven that, like her brother, she is not afraid to challenge the status quo, even if that means taking on the mighty FIA.