FIA accused of deliberately targeting Max Verstappen

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has accused Formula 1 stewards of punishing Max Verstappen more harshly than his title rivals.



He warned that flawed officiating could swing the 2025 championship.



The Canadian made his remarks in the aftermath of the Miami Grand Prix sprint.



Miami Sprint Sets Off the Debate



Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for a pit-lane collision with rookie Kimi Antonelli.







The sanction dropped him to the back of the field and cost valuable sprint points.



Although he clawed back to fourth in Sunday’s main race, the loss of momentum allowed Oscar Piastri to seize the overall weekend lead.



‘Golden Child’ Piastri Escapes Scrutiny



Villeneuve praised Piastri’s calm temperament and his guidance from manager Mark Webber.



He suggested the McLaren driver now enjoys a reputation that buys leniency with stewards.



“Oscar is the golden child right now,” Villeneuve said, arguing that identical offences draw softer rulings for the Australian than for Verstappen.



Historical Echoes of Hamilton-Rosberg



To underline his point, Villeneuve recalled the fierce Mercedes duels of 2014-2016.



He insisted that Nico Rosberg routinely collected penalties for moves that went unpunished when Lewis Hamilton replicated them.



Such marginal calls, he argued, shape entire seasons.



Red Bull Seeks Clarity as Gap Grows



Verstappen trails Piastri by 32 points after six rounds.



Red Bull has asked the FIA for clearer guidelines on contact and pit-lane etiquette.




Charles #Leclerc issues presidential decrees https://t.co/6uzHnCPAKE — Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 10, 2025




McLaren counters that the current rule book merely needs consistent application.



Fans remain split, but the row guarantees every investigation will be magnified at Monaco, where track position is king.



With stakes rising, Villeneuve’s comments ensure the spotlight stays fixed on stewards all year.
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