Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has ignited a firestorm of controversy by accusing the FIA of manipulating the 2025 Drivers’ Championship through biased penalty decisions against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The 1997 title winner claims that the governing body’s stewards have shown an unfair tendency to impose harsher punishments on Verstappen compared to his championship rivals, particularly McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, in a manner that could be skewing the title race.
Villeneuve’s remarks stem from a series of incidents throughout the 2025 season, most notably Verstappen’s collision with Mercedes’ George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. In that race, Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his FIA Super Licence for causing a collision at Turn 5, bringing him perilously close to a one-race ban with 11 points accumulated over a 12-month period. Villeneuve argues that the stewards’ decision was disproportionate, especially when compared to similar incidents involving other drivers that resulted in milder or no penalties. He pointed to an earlier clash in Miami, where Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for a pit lane incident with Kimi Antonelli, as another example of what he perceives as targeted punishment. Speaking to Vision4Sport, Villeneuve suggested that Piastri, currently leading the championship by 49 points, has been treated with leniency, likening it to past instances where certain drivers appeared favored by stewards.
The Canadian former champion’s accusations have sparked heated debate within the F1 community. Some fans and analysts argue that Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, evidenced by prior incidents like his clashes with Lando Norris in 2024, justifies the FIA’s strict approach. Others, however, echo Villeneuve’s concerns, pointing to inconsistencies in stewarding decisions. For instance, Verstappen was penalized for a programming error in Miami that caused him to drive too slowly during sprint qualifying, yet similar infractions by other drivers have gone unpunished. Villeneuve contends that such discrepancies create an uneven playing field, potentially undermining the integrity of the championship.
The FIA has defended its processes, emphasizing that stewards operate independently and base decisions on evidence like telemetry, video footage, and team communications. However, Villeneuve has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the FIA’s rulebook to eliminate ambiguity and ensure consistent enforcement. He argues that clearer regulations would prevent perceptions of bias and restore trust in the sport’s governance.
As Verstappen prepares for the Canadian Grand Prix, where a single penalty point could trigger a race ban, the controversy surrounding the FIA’s decisions continues to dominate discussions. With McLaren’s Piastri maintaining a strong lead and Red Bull struggling to match their rivals’ pace, Villeneuve’s claims have added fuel to an already intense championship battle. Whether the FIA’s actions are indeed influencing the 2025 title race remains a contentious issue, but it’s clear that Verstappen’s fight for a fifth championship is as much about navigating the stewards’ room as it is about on-track performance.
