The FIA sides with McLaren after protest over Max Verstappen’s engine change; Red Bull risks losing third place and a heavy penalty. The Formula 1 world is reeling following the FIA’s decision to side with McLaren regarding Max Verstappen’s protest. The international motorsport federation ruled in favor of McLaren in its complaint against Red Bull, which could have significant consequences for the championship. Red Bull risks not only losing its third place in the constructors’ championship, but also a heavy penalty that could jeopardize its budget and strategy for the remaining races. This decision, announced at today’s F1 Commission meeting, adds a new dramatic dimension to an already tense season, where the title fight remains wide open until the very last moment.
It all started at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, a weekend already fraught with tension. Max Verstappen, the Dutch three-time world champion, had a disappointing qualifying session. Eliminated in Q1 after a mistake on his fastest lap, he had to start from sixteenth place. Red Bull took the opportunity to bring the car out of parc fermé and carry out a complete powertrain overhaul. This included a new combustion engine, a new turbocharger, a new MGU-K, a new MGU-H, a new battery, and a new electronic control unit: all components that Verstappen had already pushed to their limits. The FIA handed him a grid penalty, forcing him to start from the pit lane. Despite this setback, Verstappen staged a spectacular comeback to finish third, behind winner Lando Norris (McLaren) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes). A true demonstration of driving skill, but tensions were simmering behind the scenes.
McLaren, which boasts a formidable driver pairing in Norris and Oscar Piastri and currently dominates the constructors’ championship, sensed the problem. Team principal Andrea Stella expressed his doubts immediately after the race. “These engine changes are against the regulations,” he said. “I wonder if the cost of this engine counts towards the budget cap. If it’s purely a question of performance, then it should.” Stella pointed out that modern engines, like Honda’s for Red Bull, have very little wear. “You don’t compromise for a small advantage, especially if you accept a penalty. The gain rarely compensates for the positions lost.” McLaren, which also struggles to make decisions regarding engine changes for its drivers, feared unfair advantages. Replacing Norris or Piastri would impact its own budget, while Red Bull could have escaped the $135 million limit.
McLaren’s protest was formal and concerned the interpretation of the FIA regulations regarding the budget cap and engine changes. According to the federation’s guidelines, substitutions are not counted towards the budget if justified by reliability issues, but are counted if made intentionally to improve performance. Red Bull openly admitted that the change was intended to optimize setup and gain speed, particularly after a difficult sprint race. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies reacted strongly: “We took advantage of a real opportunity after a poor qualifying session. This isn’t a maneuver; it’s pure racing.” However, this reaction led to an official investigation, which concluded today before the F1 Commission.
The FIA ruled that the change was indeed within the budget cap, as there was neither a manufacturing defect nor a necessity related to any flaws. Consequently, McLaren’s complaint was deemed admissible. The consequences are immense. Red Bull, currently third with 241 points behind McLaren and Mercedes, sees its position weakened. This third place could prove costly in the final standings, with a possible disqualification from the Brazilian Championship if the penalty is severe. The FIA is considering sanctions ranging from a fine to a reduction in the development budget for next season, which could break Red Bull’s dominance. Verstappen himself, with 305 points in the drivers’ standings and still in contention for a fourth title, reacted with resignation: “I’m focused on the track. It’s a real administrative headache, but we’ll keep fighting.”
His comeback in Brazil, marked by overtaking maneuvers outside the grip zone and managing a puncture, demonstrated that the new engine offered a significant advantage – exactly what McLaren fears.This issue goes to the very heart of modern Formula 1: the balance between innovation and integrity. The cost cap, introduced in 2021 to give smaller teams a chance, has already sparked controversy, particularly with the fines imposed on Red Bull in 2022. Now, with McLaren finally clinching the title thanks to consistent performance, the rivalry is more intense than ever. Norris, who secured his third victory at Interlagos, declared: “We want pure racing, without accounting tricks.” Piastri, facing difficulties regarding internal engine decisions, added that FIA approval is crucial for future decisions.
Red Bull’s partnership with Honda, which will be transferred to Aston Martin next year, is also under scrutiny: how long can the engines remain cold without degrading? Experts predict this decision will set a precedent. Teams like Ferrari and Mercedes, who are also considering engine changes for the final sprints in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, are eagerly awaiting it. The FIA emphasizes that transparency is essential: all costs must be included in the annual report, and audits will be strengthened. For Red Bull, this is a wake-up call. Their RB21, which has already experienced setup problems this year, relies heavily on Verstappen’s talent. Without him, the team would have already missed out on third place, but a domino effect now threatens.
The paddock is buzzing with speculation. Will Red Bull be able to make itself attractive? Or will it absorb the defeat and focus on revenge? For fans, this means more than ever that the title fight will be decided not only on the track but also behind the scenes. With three races remaining, including the night race in Las Vegas, the excitement is palpable. McLaren savors a moral victory, but knows Red Bull won’t give up so easily. Verstappen, the invincible Dutchman, will undoubtedly retaliate, with or without a new engine. Formula 1 proves once again why it is the pinnacle of motorsport: unpredictable, ruthless, and addictive.
