💣A bad day for Redbull when the FIA president gave an OFFICIAL PUNISHMENT to Max Verstappen after what was recorded on the racer’s RADIO, leaving boss Horner helpless !!
In a dramatic turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29, 2025, Red Bull Racing faced one of its darkest days in recent memory. The team’s star driver, Max Verstappen, was handed a severe penalty by the FIA following a heated radio exchange that sparked widespread controversy. The decision, announced by the FIA president, has not only tarnished Red Bull’s home race but also left team principal Christian Horner grappling with the fallout, unable to shield his driver from the consequences. This incident, coupled with a catastrophic on-track collision, has plunged the team into a crisis, raising questions about Verstappen’s future and Red Bull’s championship aspirations.
The trouble began on the opening lap at the Red Bull Ring, where Verstappen, starting in seventh, collided with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3. Antonelli, locking up his rear tires, struck Verstappen’s car, forcing both drivers to retire from the race. It marked Verstappen’s first DNF (Did Not Finish) in 31 races, a significant blow for the four-time world champion who has been Red Bull’s linchpin in a challenging 2025 season. Antonelli immediately took responsibility, apologizing over team radio and later visiting Red Bull’s hospitality to make amends. The FIA stewards, however, were unforgiving, issuing Antonelli two penalty points and a three-place grid drop for his next race, deeming him fully at fault.
While the collision itself was a setback, it was Verstappen’s reaction over the team radio that ignited a firestorm. Frustrated by the incident and Red Bull’s struggles, Verstappen unleashed a tirade laced with expletives, reportedly including phrases like “What the f***?” and “This is bulls***.” The outburst was captured live and quickly circulated online, drawing sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike. Some defended Verstappen’s raw emotion, citing the high-pressure environment of Formula 1, while others condemned his lack of professionalism, especially given his prior warnings for similar behavior. Last year, Verstappen was ordered to perform community service for swearing during a press conference in Singapore, a penalty that had already put him under scrutiny.
The FIA, citing violations of the 2025 sporting code that prohibits “words, deeds, or writings that cause moral injury” to the organization, acted swiftly. In an unprecedented move, the FIA president announced an official penalty, adding two penalty points to Verstappen’s super license, bringing his total to 13—just one point over the threshold for an automatic one-race ban. This decision ensures Verstappen will miss the upcoming British Grand Prix, a devastating blow for Red Bull, who are already languishing in fourth in the constructors’ standings. The penalty also included a €10,000 fine, further compounding the team’s woes. Christian Horner, visibly shaken, called the FIA’s ruling “excessive,” arguing that the on-track incident had already been addressed with Antonelli’s penalty. However, his pleas fell on deaf ears, leaving him powerless to reverse the decision.
This latest penalty comes at a precarious time for Verstappen, who was already skating on thin ice with 11 penalty points from a prior clash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. That incident, where Verstappen was deemed responsible for a collision, had sparked tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes, with Horner accusing rivals of “gamesmanship” to goad Verstappen into a ban. The Austrian GP incident has only fueled speculation about Verstappen’s future, with rumors linking him to Mercedes intensifying. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya recently suggested that Verstappen, facing an underperforming Red Bull car and internal team tensions, might consider a move to Mercedes for 2026, especially with their promising recovery and new engine regulations on the horizon.
For Red Bull, the Austrian GP was a disaster on multiple fronts. Alongside Verstappen’s DNF, teammate Yuki Tsunoda finished last, underscoring the team’s struggles with the RB21’s performance. Horner, who had expressed optimism about upgrades for the home race, now faces the daunting task of replacing Verstappen for Silverstone. Reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar are potential candidates, though 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad has also been mentioned, pending special FIA dispensation. Horner’s warning to Verstappen to “keep it clean” in Austria went unheeded, and the consequences could shift the balance of power in a tightly contested championship, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leading Verstappen by 49 points.
As Red Bull licks its wounds, the FIA’s firm stance sends a clear message about enforcing discipline, even for a driver of Verstappen’s caliber. For Horner, the challenge now is to rally his team and navigate the storm, but with Verstappen sidelined and morale at a low, the road ahead looks treacherous. The fallout from this “disastrous day” will likely reverberate through the paddock, shaping the narrative of the 2025 season.
