Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has turned the spotlight on a new controversy with the FIA and its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, shaking up the paddock and fans. It all started with the recent controversial decisions taken by the FIA, especially after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a five-second penalty for overtaking Oscar Piastri on the first lap. The sanction, judged by many to be unfair, has pushed the Red Bull driver into a defiant silence, avoiding comment for fear of further retaliation. “It’s better not to speak, the truth doesn’t please everyone,” he said, insinuating that criticizing the FIA could cost him dearly.
It’s not the first time Verstappen has run afoul of FIA rules. Last year, a penalty for using foul language at a press conference in Singapore forced him to do community service in Rwanda. New 2025 regulations, which severely penalise swearing and behaviour deemed “offensive” by the FIA, have further fuelled discontent. Angry fans have taken to social media, calling the rules “draconian” and accusing Ben Sulayem of trying to police the authenticity of drivers. “Max is a warrior, not a puppet of the FIA!” wrote one fan on X, while others are calling for a review of the regulations.
Tensions rose when a video showed Verstappen in a heated argument with Ben Sulayem after the race in Saudi Arabia. Fans interpreted the episode as a further sign of frustration from the Dutch driver, who seems to speak for many of his colleagues. George Russell, a representative of the GPDA, also expressed concern about the direction taken by the FIA, criticizing the lack of transparency and the authoritarian tone of Ben Sulayem. Meanwhile, Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, defended Verstappen, presenting video evidence to contest the penalty, but to no avail.
Recent rule changes, such as the one triggered by the Oliver Bearman incident in Australia, show that the FIA is trying to adapt, but decisions continue to be divisive. Fans, fed up with what they perceive as an abuse of power, are demanding change: a recent RacingNews365 survey found that over two-thirds of supporters want the FIA to actively intervene to correct illegally gained positions on the track.
Verstappen, with his charisma and his outspokenness, has become the symbol of a rebellion against a system deemed too rigid. His “silent protest” and the reactions of the fans are pushing Formula 1 towards a turning point. Will the FIA be able to respond to the criticism without losing credibility? One thing is certain: the world of F1 has never been so heated, and Verstappen is at the center of the storm.
