Verstappen and his middle finger during F1 winter testing: A penalty barely avoided?
When Max Verstappen raised his middle finger toward the Williams garage during F1 winter testing in Bahrain, many thought it was another clash between the three-time world champion and the FIA. With new restrictions on driver conduct and his penalty points tally increasing, some wondered if this simple gesture could cost him a race suspension. But the reality behind the scene captured by cameras was entirely different.
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Verstappen’s middle finger to the Williams garage
During the morning session in Bahrain, Verstappen exited the pit lane and visibly raised his middle finger as he passed the Williams garage. A reaction to an overly curious photographer? A message to a rival? Speculation ran wild, and social media exploded with theories. Some commentators immediately assumed the Dutchman was reacting to an intrusion into the technical details of his new RB21, but the truth was far less dramatic. In reality, Verstappen was greeting a familiar face—Luke Browning, a Williams junior driver and a friend of the Red Bull star. What seemed like a provocation was nothing more than a playful exchange between acquaintances. Despite the buzz, the FIA quickly ruled: no incident, no investigation.
Max giving a cheeky little middle finger to someone 😭pic.twitter.com/VSvOuuKiKo
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) February 28, 2025
Unexpected leniency from the FIA
The FIA took a surprisingly lenient stance, despite its recent pledge to tighten restrictions on driver behavior, both on and off the track. Officially, since winter testing is not supervised by designated FIA stewards, no rule could be enforced against Verstappen’s gesture. This decision contrasts sharply with recent penalties for driver outbursts. One of the most striking examples remains WRC driver Adrien Fourmaux, who was fined €10,000 for using strong language in an interview. Even Verstappen himself had been reprimanded in 2024 for using a vulgar word in a press conference, which resulted in mandatory participation in an FIA event.
A controversial set of regulations
The FIA’s push to strictly regulate driver behavior has not been well received by everyone. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) has openly opposed these new restrictions, and tensions between drivers and the governing body are palpable. The lukewarm reception for FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the season launch in London was a clear indicator of this growing rift. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff tried to take a balanced stance, stating that drivers should maintain a certain level of etiquette while also acknowledging the need to distinguish between frustration-driven language and outright insults directed at officials or rivals. Max Verstappen, on the other hand, called for more common sense: “Sometimes, under the adrenaline, words just come out. We are adults, not robots.”
This article delves into the controversy surrounding Verstappen’s gesture in Bahrain and the reactions it sparked. It highlights the inconsistencies in the FIA’s rule enforcement and the growing frustration among drivers over what they see as excessive restrictions. It also raises the question of balancing discipline and spontaneity in a sport where adrenaline runs high.
From dull to explosive: This new rule will turn the most boring Formula 1 race into pure chaos
Images: © Red Bull Content pool / © Williams
