Formula 1, that circus on wheels where speed is measured in thousandths of a second and rivalries in inflammatory statements, has just lit another fuse. In the midst of a 2025 season that already promised to be epic – with McLaren leading the constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen lurking from Red Bull – a perfect storm of accusations has erupted in the paddock. Laurent Mekies, the new Red Bull team principal, has launched a direct attack on the International Automobile Federation (FIA): “hidden” rules designed to favor McLaren and dethrone the energy drink team. Not content with that, Verstappen has spoken out against a controversial engine change that, according to him, alters the balance of the competition. The FIA, true to its reputation as an implacable arbiter, responded immediately, further straining the already volatile sport.
It all began in the shadows of the Brazilian Grand Prix, held at Interlagos last weekend. Verstappen, four-time world champion and perennial contender, qualified in a disastrous sixteenth position after a mistake on his flying lap. Red Bull, in a bold move, decided to break parc fermé – the system that freezes car setups after qualifying – and completely replace the Honda power unit in the Dutchman’s RB21. It was no minor overhaul: the internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-K, MGU-H, battery, and control electronics were all replaced. Verstappen started from the pits, incurring an automatic penalty, but staged a spectacular comeback to finish third behind Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli.
The problem wasn’t the comeback – Verstappen is a master at them – but the cost of that “luxury,” as Mekies called it. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, was quick to speak out. “These engines don’t show significant deterioration with mileage,” Stella declared after the race. “Changing it under those conditions doesn’t seem logical from a reliability standpoint; it seems like a performance ploy.” But the poisoned dart aimed at the financial heart of F1: the $135 million budget cap per team for 2025. According to Stella, if the change wasn’t due to a “valid” mechanical failure – as required by FIA regulations – it should count as an extra expense, potentially violating the cap. “I’m interested to know whether this engine falls within the cost limit or not,” the Italian insisted, opening the door to a formal investigation.
Mekies, former FIA executive and now head of Red Bull following Christian Horner’s departure, didn’t hold back. In a subsequent press conference, the Frenchman defended the decision as a “luxury choice” given the pit lane start, but went further. He accused the FIA of applying “hidden rules” that, in his opinion, tip the scales in McLaren’s favor. “The FIA has been inconsistent in applying the technical and financial regulations,” Mekies stated, citing precedents such as the leniency shown towards certain McLaren upgrades at key circuits. “This isn’t just about an engine; it’s about a pattern that favors certain teams to ‘balance’ the championship. Red Bull has been subjected to thorough inspections, while others slip in modifications without scrutiny.” His words echoed past battles: recall the multimillion-dollar fines levied against Red Bull for the “flexi-wing” incident in 2022, or the accusations made by Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, regarding data sharing between Red Bull and its satellite team, RB.
Verstappen, always direct and unfiltered, joined the chorus of discontent. The Dutch driver, known for his clashes with the FIA—from the “Verstappen rule” on braking maneuvers to penalties for “foul” language—didn’t hide his frustration with the engine change. “I don’t agree with this,” he declared in a post-race interview. “F1 should be about skill and strategy, not game-altering budget tricks. If we allow a team to spend extra under the guise of ‘performance,’ where does fairness come in?” Verstappen, who has accumulated nine penalty points and is on the verge of a race ban, sees this controversy as a veiled attempt to curb his dominance. His father, Jos Verstappen, a former driver and controversial figure, fueled the fire on social media: “McLaren and the FIA are playing dirty to crown Norris. Max doesn’t need favors; he needs fair rules.”
The FIA’s response was swift. Just 24 hours after the Brazilian Grand Prix concluded, the governing body issued an official statement that heightened tensions like an overheated tire. “The Federation will examine the case of Red Bull’s power unit change at the next F1 Commission meeting, scheduled for this Friday,” the statement read. But the real coup was the mention of “immediate measures to ensure transparency.” Internal sources reveal that the FIA has requested detailed documentation of the Honda engine’s costs and could impose a retroactive audit if any irregularities are detected. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, was more explicit in a call with teams: “We will not tolerate unfounded accusations that undermine the integrity of the sport. The rules are clear: performance-based changes count towards the cap. Red Bull will have to demonstrate a ‘valid reason’ or face consequences.”
This immediate response not only defended its authority but also fanned the flames. Mekies called it “disproportionate and selective,” while McLaren’s Brown applauded: “It’s time for the FIA to act decisively; we’ve been asking for clarity for months.” The paddock, that hotbed of rumors, is buzzing with speculation. Is this a power struggle for financial control ahead of the 2026 revolution, with hybrid engines and redesigned chassis? Or a personal war between Red Bull—owner of two teams—and rivals like McLaren and Mercedes, who see Verstappen’s dominance as a threat to the “balance” of the sport?
The impact on the standings is undeniable. McLaren leads Red Bull by 16 points after Norris’s victory in Brazil, but Verstappen, with his “miraculous” podium finish, has closed the gap in the drivers’ standings. If the FIA rules against Red Bull, there could be sanctions that alter the end of the season: fines, point deductions, or even budget adjustments for 2026. Fans, divided on social media—with hashtags like #JusticeForMax and #FairPlayF1—await the next chapter. Meanwhile, in Milton Keynes, Red Bull engineers are working feverishly on the RB21, and in Woking, Stella is planning her counterattack.
This controversy goes beyond the technical aspects; it’s a reminder that F1 isn’t just about speed, but a chessboard where the pieces are worth billions and the moves are lethal. With only three races left – Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi – the title hangs by a thread. Will the FIA dethrone Red Bull? Or will Verstappen, the eternal rebel, impose his will once again? One thing is certain: in Formula 1, the hidden rules always come to light, and the pit lane never sleeps.
