Jos Verstappen Furious Over FIA’s ‘Bizarre and Extreme’ Silence Before Max’s 2025 Spanish GP Penalty as Debate Intensifies
June 3, 2025, the Formula 1 world remains gripped by controversy following the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen received a contentious 10-second penalty that dropped him from fifth to 10th place. Jos Verstappen, father of the four-time world champion, has unleashed a scathing critique of the FIA, labeling their ruling as “bizarre and extreme” while questioning their silence and failure to advise Red Bull before imposing the penalty. The FIA boss has since responded, but the fallout from the dramatic race on June 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya continues to fuel heated debates among fans, teams, and pundits.
The incident occurred during a chaotic late-race restart after a safety car, triggered by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli’s retirement on Lap 55. Verstappen, who had been running third with a three-stop strategy, was forced onto hard tires—the only option Red Bull had left—while rivals like Charles Leclerc and George Russell switched to softs. On Lap 61, Verstappen clashed with Leclerc on the main straight and later with Russell at Turn 1, taking the escape road but retaining position. Red Bull, anticipating a penalty for gaining an advantage, ordered Verstappen to let Russell pass on Lap 64. However, as Russell overtook at Turn 5, Verstappen accelerated suddenly, causing a collision that the FIA deemed intentional, resulting in the 10-second penalty and three additional points on his super license, bringing his 12-month total to 11—just one shy of a race ban.
Jos Verstappen’s frustration centers on the FIA’s lack of communication during the race. “Why was the FIA silent and didn’t advise before handing the penalty?” he questioned in a fiery interview with Dutch media on June 2. “This ruling is bizarre and extreme. Max was following team orders, and the FIA’s silence left us in the dark. It’s unfair and feels like they’re targeting him.” His comments echo a broader sentiment among some Red Bull supporters that the FIA’s handling of Verstappen has been inconsistent, especially given the stewards’ later clarification that no action was warranted for the Turn 1 incident, meaning Verstappen didn’t need to cede the position in the first place.
The FIA boss addressed the criticism on June 3, defending the penalty process. “The stewards reviewed telemetry, video, and radio communications thoroughly. Verstappen’s sudden acceleration caused the collision with Russell, and the 10-second penalty was appropriate under our regulations,” the official stated. They added that the decision to not advise Red Bull mid-race aligns with current protocols, as the stewards’ role is to act post-incident rather than provide real-time guidance—a stance that has drawn scrutiny from some quarters, with experts like Jon Noble on The Race F1 Podcast suggesting a return to race control advising teams to swap positions to avoid such penalties.
The penalty has significant implications for Verstappen’s season. Now 49 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, who won the race ahead of teammate Lando Norris, Verstappen must navigate the upcoming Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix without further infractions to avoid a ban. Red Bull’s Christian Horner called the penalty “harsh,” while Russell described the move as “deliberate,” likening it to sim racing antics. Meanwhile, former champion Nico Rosberg argued on Sky Sports that Verstappen deserved a black flag, though others, including some fans on social platforms, feel the FIA’s lack of clarity mid-race exacerbated the situation.
As tensions simmer, Jos Verstappen’s outspoken critique highlights a deeper rift between Red Bull and the FIA, with questions of transparency and fairness at the forefront. With Verstappen’s title hopes hanging in the balance, the sport braces for more drama as the season unfolds.
