Max Verstappen has broken his silence following a major announcement from the FIA just days before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, and his reaction is as fiery as expected.
The FIA confirmed that both Oscar Piastri’s McLaren and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari underwent random technical inspections after the Miami Grand Prix. While many in the paddock expected potential irregularities given McLaren’s recent dominance and Ferrari’s past issues, the results caught some off guard: both cars passed with flying colors.
The inspections included detailed analysis of Piastri’s wheel bodywork assemblies and Leclerc’s steering wheel assembly, clutch components, and electronic systems. In a statement, the FIA said, “All inspected components were found to be in conformance with the 2025 Formula 1 Technical Regulations.”
That verdict didn’t sit well with Verstappen, who has openly questioned the legality of McLaren’s recent gains, especially after Piastri’s commanding win in Miami extended his lead in the championship.
“I don’t know what they’re checking, but something clearly isn’t right,” Verstappen said. “You can’t find that much pace overnight and be 100% legal. Either the rules need tightening or the inspections need to go deeper—because we’re not all playing on the same field right now.”
The reigning World Champion added that while he respects the FIA’s authority, he believes the current approach isn’t rigorous enough.
“We’re talking about millimeters and milliseconds here. If something is slipping through the cracks, it changes the outcome of races and championships. I just want to know we’re all being held to the same standard.”
This isn’t the first time Verstappen has voiced concerns about the fairness and transparency of technical regulations, but the stakes are rising fast. McLaren currently leads both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings, while Red Bull’s form has looked shaky in recent rounds.
The FIA has stood firm in its findings, but Verstappen’s reaction ensures that the spotlight will remain firmly on the governing body and their inspection process into Imola as the F1 circus rolls on.
With tensions rising and championship pressure building, all eyes will now be on what happens next in one of the most dramatic seasons in recent memory.
