The Formula 1 world has erupted after Jos Verstappen officially took legal action against the FIA. The reason: the highly criticized decision to postpone the start of the Belgian Grand Prix due to rain, a decision that Verstappen said was “clearly aimed at disadvantaging Max.”
According to Jos, Max Verstappen was in top form in the wet conditions and had a significant advantage over his competitors with a direct start in the rain. Instead, the FIA decided to postpone the race, despite the rain not being excessive, and wait until the weather improved—a decision Verstappen claims was deliberate.
“Max is at his best in the rain. Everyone knows that,” Jos said in an emotional statement. “The FIA literally waited until it dried up so others could catch up. That’s not sport. That’s manipulation.”
He added:
“The FIA is a disgrace. They don’t make decisions based on safety, but on politics and preference. If there’s no change, Max will leave this sport for good.
Within hours of filing the lawsuit, the FIA issued a formal statement. Instead of calming the situation, this announcement added fuel to the fire. The FIA defended its decision by stating that “driver safety is always our priority” and that “the weather conditions were dangerous and a postponement was justified.” However, the statement made no mention of an investigation into bias or transparency, which is precisely what fans and analysts are demanding.
The reactions were divided, but fierce. Thousands of fans took to social media to express their agreement with Jos Verstappen. They argued that the race delay was “no coincidence” and that Max was “actively obstructed.”
Criticism is mounting within the paddock. Some team members and former drivers have spoken out about a possible “preferential policy” within the FIA. An anonymous Red Bull engineer remarked: “If Max can turn pole position into a dominant race in wet conditions, why is that frustrating? It feels like there are forces at play trying to slow him down.”
The case could have major consequences for confidence in Formula 1 race management. If it turns out that the FIA did indeed make strategic decisions targeting one specific driver, it would undermine the very foundation of the sport.
For now, the ball is in the FIA’s court. The pressure is mounting daily. One thing is clear: this legal action by Jos Verstappen isn’t a mere emotional outburst, but a powerful signal that the discontent runs deep—and Max’s future in Formula 1 is suddenly in jeopardy.
