“The FIA is a disgrace, they are ruining F1. If nothing changes, Max Verstappen will leave F1 immediately.” Those explosive words, attributed to Red Bull CEO Laurent Mekies, have sent shockwaves through the Formula One paddock following the controversial decisions involving Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. What was meant to be a routine season finale has now escalated into one of the most serious governance crises the sport has faced in recent years.
According to reports circulating within the F1 world, Red Bull has taken the extraordinary step of filing a legal action against the FIA, arguing that a series of stewarding decisions in Abu Dhabi unfairly penalized Verstappen and directly influenced the outcome of the race. The team believes these calls were not only inconsistent with previous rulings but also damaging to the integrity of the championship and to Verstappen’s reputation as a four time world champion.
Sources close to Red Bull claim the frustration has been building for months, with Abu Dhabi representing the breaking point. The camp around Verstappen reportedly feels that the Dutch driver has been subjected to stricter interpretations of the rules compared to his rivals, creating what they see as an uneven playing field. The suggestion that Verstappen could walk away from Formula One, even if used as a pressure tactic, underlines just how deep the anger runs.
The FIA responded swiftly with an official statement, firmly rejecting any allegations of bias or misconduct. The governing body insisted that all decisions made during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were in line with the regulations and based on the information available to the stewards at the time. The statement emphasized the FIA’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and the consistent application of the rules, while also warning against what it described as inflammatory rhetoric that could harm the sport.
Despite the FIA’s response, the controversy has only intensified. Fans, former drivers, and pundits have flooded social media and television debates, with many questioning whether Formula One’s officiating has become too unpredictable. Others argue that Red Bull’s reaction is excessive and risks undermining trust in the sport’s institutions.
As things stand, the standoff between Red Bull and the FIA shows no sign of cooling down. Whether the reported legal action progresses further or forces meaningful changes remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Max Verstappen’s future has suddenly become a central talking point in Formula One, and the fallout from Abu Dhabi may shape the sport long after the engines have gone quiet.
