Max Verstappen is not happy with the FIA after he has been treated badly and there are many F1 drivers who could replace him at Red Bull
Max Verstappen, the four -time world champion Formula 1, has again made his frustrations about the FIA known after a series of controversial decisions and penalties that chase him in the 2025 season. The Dutchman, who is known for his pronounced character, has shown several times that he feels he was treated unfairly by the motorsport federation. In addition, there are rumors that Red Bull Racing, his current team, is considering options to replace him, should the situation escalate. These tensions cast a shadow over Verstappen’s hunt for a fifth world title and raise questions about his future in sport.
The recent dissatisfaction of Verstappen began to be prominently in the spotlight during the Singapore Grand Prix in 2024, when he received a community service from the FIA for the use of a swear word during a press conference. The punishment, which many considered as exaggerated, was the starting point of a broader discussion about the FIA regulations on language use. Verstappen expressed his dissatisfaction and warned that Formula 1 will be less fun due to the strict rules and the need to be “politically correct”. He emphasized that drivers should be able to show their personality without fear of sanctions. These comments found resonance with many fans and fellow drivers, who believe that the FIA is going too far in regulating expressions outside the job.
In addition to the matter of language use, Verstappen has also had to deal with punishments on the track that he and his team have been inconsistently applied. During the Grand Prix of Spain 2025, Verstappen received a time penalty of ten seconds and three penalty points on his super license after a collision with George Russell. Although Red Bull team boss Helmut Marko put the blame for Verstappen, rival teams were of the opinion that the sentence was too mild for an incident that was considered intentional. This situation brought Verstappen to eleven penalty points, only one point away from an automatic suspension for a race. The threat of a suspension is like a dark cloud above his campaign, especially because the Grand Prix of Austria, the home race of Red Bull, is on the program. A suspension in this race would not only be a sporty but also a symbolic blow to both Verstappen and Red Bull.
The dissatisfaction of Verstappen is further fed by operational problems within Red Bull. The team has made a number of crucial errors, especially at Pitstops, such as during the Miami Grand Prix, where a failed pit stop Verstappen points points. These incidents have led to speculation about the team’s stability. According to analysts, the confidence of Verstappen in Red Bull is starting to take, especially since the RB21 car has difficulty competing with the dominant McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Verstappen has repeatedly had to compensate for the shortcomings of the car, which increases its frustrations. He even hinted on a possible exit like the performance, a scenario that Juan Pablo Montoya recently quoted in an interview, in which he suggested that Verstappen could possibly switch to a team like Mercedes.
In the meantime, there are rumors that Red Bull is considering replacing Verstappen, should it come to a break. The name of Arvid Lindblad, a 17-year-old Formula 2 driver, circulates as a potential replacement. Red Bull has even submitted a request to the FIA to grant Lindblad a super license despite his young age, a sign that the team is prepared for all scenarios. Other candidates, such as Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls, are also mentioned, although their performance has not been in the shade of Verstappens dominance so far. FIA-Steward Derek Warwick noted that the RB21 is a challenging car that only seems to be able to tame Verstappen, which makes it difficult to find a suitable replacement.
The situation surrounding Verstappen also exposes broader problems in Formula 1. The penalty point system, introduced in 2013, is considered outdated by many. Drivers such as Verstappen, who are often involved in fierce duels, run the risk of a suspension faster, while the guidelines for punishments are not always clear. Inconsistencies in the application of rules, as seen in Canada and Spain, have led to criticism from drivers and analysts, including Christijan Albers, who accused the FIA of arbitrariness. This uncertainty not only frustrates Verstappen, but also other drivers who argue for fairer and more transparent regulations.
For Verstappen, the focus remains on the championship, despite the obstacles. With a backlog of 49 points on Piastri and a car that does not always cooperate, he faces a tough challenge. His talent and determination have often saved him in the past, but the question is how long he will remain motivated under the current circumstances. The Formula 1 community looks excitedly at the upcoming races, in which Verstappens Actions and Red Bulls strategies will be crucial for his future and those of the team.
