The president of the FIA gives an unexpected punishment of Max Verstappen after radio topics with Russell in Canada !!
The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix has delivered a high octane drama inside and off the track, like a controversial radio exchange between Max Verstappen of Red Bull and George Russell of Mercedes of Mercedes has culminated in an unexpected penalty emitted by the president of the Fia Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The accident, which took place on a chaotic race weekend in Montreal, aroused a widespread debate between fans, pilots and experts, rekindling the discussions on sportiness, radio conduct and the regulatory approach of the FIA in Formula 1.
The controversy began during the second free practice session (FP2) to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where George Russell, as soon as he came out of a strong performance for Mercedes, has passed the activity cards. Verstappen, running closely, expressed frustration for the team’s radio, accusing Russell of preventing him during a flying lap. The Outdoor’s observations were intertwined with companies, a violation of the rigid FIA regulations on the driver’s language introduced at the beginning of 2025. Russell replied abruptly, questioning the professionalism of Verstappen and intensifying the verbal sparring game. The exchange, transmitted live, fascinated the public but attracted the anger of the race officials, who have repressive the anti -sports conduct following similar accidents in previous tenders.
As the weekend of the race advanced, the tensions sipped. Verstappen, already under examination for his aggressive driving style, finished FP2 right behind Russell, preparing the foundations for a highly competitive qualification session. However, the post-session revision of the FIA has focused not on the track but on the radio communications of the drivers. Citing the use of vulgarity and inflammatory comments by Verstappen against a competitor colleague, the stewards convened the four -time world champion for a hearing. Russell, although not irreproachable in the verbal carousel, escaped formal reproach, since its observations were considered less serious.
In a surprising turning point of events, the president of the Fia Ben Sularyem intervened directly, announcing a penalty that caught the paddock for the aforementioned. A five -seater grill was delivered to Verstappen for the Canadian Grand Prix, combined with a fine of € 25,000 and two penalty points on its superlicense. The decision was justified pursuant to article 12.2.1 of the International Sports Code of the FIA, which penalizes the behavior considered harmful to the reputation of sport. Ben Sulayem underlined the need for drivers to support professionalism, in particular in the light of the global public 1 public 1, which includes younger fans. “Our sport thrives in competition, but must be conducted with respect,” he said in a press release. “The verbal attacks on the radio of the team undermine the values we promote.”
The penalty immediately triggered a reinforking from Red Bull. The main team Christian Horner defined the “disproportionate” decision, claiming that heated radio trade are part of the raw emotion of Formula 1. “Max is a passionate pilot and these moments happen in the heat of the battle,” said Horner to journalists. “Singing it out with such a hard penalty seems to be overcoming.” Verstappen himself was provocative, refusing to apologize for his comments and suggesting that the attention of the FIA on language was misleading. “If they want to supervise every word we say, perhaps we should all remain silent,” he joked, echoing the feelings he expressed at the beginning of the season as regards the ban on the oath of the FIA.
On the contrary, the boss of the Mercedes Toto Wolff team supported the position of the FIA, praising Russell to maintain calm under pressure. “George managed well and the FIA is right to establish the boundaries,” said Wolff. Some pilots, including McLaren’s Lando Norris, took a neutral position, recognizing the intensity of the competition but pushing consistency in applying the penalty. “We all say things at the moment, but the rules are the rules,” Norris observed.
The penalty of the grid has significantly modified the competition strategy of Verstappen, leaving it in sixth place for the start of the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite the setback, the Red Bull pilot offered a master’s performance, returning to a podium behind the winner of the Russell race and Oscar Plastri della McLaren. However, the accident left persistent questions about Verstappen’s temperament and on the regulatory priorities of the FIA. Critics claim that the penalty of radio explosions distracts from more urgent issues, such as the safety of the track and the inconsistent decisions of administration.
The feud Verstappen-Russell, now amplified by the intervention of the FIA, adds another chapter to their rivalry, which has vanished at the beginning of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix. With the heating of the battle of the 2025 championship, all eyes will be on how Verstappen responds to the latter controversy. Will he transmit his fiery approach or will he double his intransigent style? For now, the Canadian Grand Prix has cemented its place as a fundamental moment of the season, highlighting the thin line between passion and professionalism in the Arena at high risk of Formula 1.
