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Red Bull receives warning from FIA after Verstappen incident

FIA clarifies Red Bull was not fined for the minor cockpit incident during practice.

August 1, 2025 at 05:20 PM

FIA explain Red Bull punishment escape after bizarre Max Verstappen incident

The FIA provided insights into the minor sanction against Red Bull following an unusual incident involving Max Verstappen.

FIA clarifies Red Bull's minor penalty in Verstappen incident

The FIA has detailed its reasoning behind issuing only a warning to Red Bull after Max Verstappen's peculiar incident during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix. During the session, Verstappen tossed a small cloth from his RB21 while trying to get it off the track, resulting in the towel remaining on the circuit for the duration. Normally, teams face penalties for releasing cars with objects still inside, but due to the cloth's negligible impact, the FIA opted for a warning instead of a fine. The FIA's decision stemmed from a review of in-car footage and testimonies, indicating that while this object could have posed a risk, it was not deemed significant enough to warrant harsher punishment.

Key Takeaways

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The FIA issued a warning instead of a fine to Red Bull for a minor incident.

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Max Verstappen threw a cloth from his cockpit during practice.

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The cloth posed minimal risk as it did not obstruct his driving.

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FIA reviewed video evidence and driver testimony before deciding on the penalty.

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The decision indicates a flexible approach to safety rule enforcement.

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Teams must ensure cockpit cleanliness to avoid penalties in future situations.

"The driver explained that while in the garage, the face towel had slipped from his lap to the side of the seat."

This quote explains how the cloth ended up in the car, leading to the incident.

"The stewards consider this case to be distinguishable from a case where a hard object is left in the cockpit."

This highlights the FIA's reasoning for their lenient punishment, focusing on the nature of the object.

The FIA's decision highlights the delicate balance it must maintain between enforcing rules and recognizing the context of each incident. Red Bull's case illustrates how track safety regulations can be applied with discretion, especially when no immediate danger to drivers or teams is present. As motorsport continues to evolve, the FIA may need to refine its approach to penalties, ensuring consistency while considering the unique circumstances of each situation. Ultimately, this incident acts as a reminder of the challenges teams face in maintaining compliance under pressure, especially during intense practice sessions.