At the recent F1 Silverstone Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was taken aback by a late and contentious penalty from the FIA that significantly affected his race. Although he started on pole position, Verstappen quickly lost the lead to Oscar Piastri, who maintained control until a second safety car was deployed. During the restart, Verstappen was penalized for allegedly uneven braking, resulting in a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points, leaving the Red Bull driver clearly confused about the decision and unaware of Piastri’s own penalty status during the event.
Criticism Over Safety Car Timing and Steward Consistency
Andrea Stella from McLaren openly criticized the penalty, arguing that the delayed safety car call made it difficult for the race leader to manage the pack properly during the restart, and that the punishment was unnecessarily severe. This incident has spotlighted inconsistencies in stewarding, particularly in comparison to a previous event involving George Russell and Mercedes at the Canadian Grand Prix. Verstappen himself highlighted these disparities, expressing frustration with how similar incidents are judged differently by the officials.
Wider Implications for F1 Championship and FIA Governance
The controversy surrounding the penalty at Silverstone has provoked strong reactions among fans and experts, sparking debate about the FIA’s approach to incident management in Formula 1. These contentious decisions not only affect the championship dynamics but also raise questions about fairness and governance in race officiating. As scrutiny intensifies, the FIA’s handling of such incidents remains a critical factor shaping the ongoing F1 season narrative.
“I don’t make them!” —Max Verstappen, Driver
“The penalty was harsh because of the late safety car call, impacting the leader’s control on restart.” —Andrea Stella, McLaren
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Max Verstappen’s baby daughter?
A. Max Verstappen has become a father! The Formula One driver, who is 27 years old, and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet have had their first child, a daughter named Lily. They shared the happy news together on Instagram.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. Kelly Piquet, Nelson Piquet’s daughter, is Max Verstappen’s partner. She has a daughter, Penelope, with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has built a strong bond with Penelope. When asked if being a father could affect his racing, he recently referred to this relationship.
Q. Who is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend’s baby daddy?
A. Before she started dating Verstappen, she was in a relationship with Daniil Kvyat, another Formula 1 driver. They had a daughter in 2019. Piquet and Verstappen shared that their first child together, a daughter named Lily, was born on May 2. “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily.”
Q. Does Max Verstappen support LGBT?
A. Max expressed his respect for the LGBTQ+ community but observed that every June, it feels more like a trend than a movement. Eliza Burnett commented that Max phrased it politely!
