March 2, 2025 – Sakhir, Bahrain

The FIA has finally issued its ruling on the much-talked-about incident involving Max Verstappen’s middle finger gesture during the 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, putting an end to days of speculation and debate. The reigning world champion sparked controversy on the final day of testing when onboard footage captured him raising his middle finger while driving past the Williams garage in the pit lane—a move that quickly went viral and reignited tensions between drivers and the sport’s governing body over conduct regulations.

The incident occurred during Verstappen’s stint in the Red Bull RB21 on February 28, amid the FIA’s heightened crackdown on driver behavior. Under new rules introduced for the 2025 season, the FIA has vowed to penalize actions deemed as “misconduct,” including hefty fines, license point deductions, and even race bans for repeated offenses. Verstappen, already carrying eight penalty points on his Super Licence from 2024 incidents, is just four points shy of a one-race ban—a threshold that won’t ease until June 30 when his earliest points expire. Naturally, his gesture raised eyebrows, especially given his prior run-ins with the FIA, such as the community service penalty he served in Rwanda after swearing at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix press conference.

According to Motorsport-Total, Max’s middle finger was actually directed at his friend Luke Browning.#f1 #formula1 #sportsinfoxtreme #MaxVerstappen #RedBull #Williams #LukeBrowning #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/P09PcV8jBl

— SportsInfo Xtreme (@Sportsinfo22073) March 2, 2025

Initial speculation suggested Verstappen’s action was directed at the Williams team, possibly a photographer or mechanic, prompting fears of an impending sanction. However, after a thorough review, the FIA clarified the situation in an official statement released on March 1. “The incident involving Max Verstappen during pre-season testing occurred ‘on the field’ and is therefore distinct from an official interview or broadcast setting,” the FIA announced. “As it was not directed at any specific individual or intended to offend, and given the absence of formal stewards during testing, no further investigation or penalty will be pursued.”

The truth behind the gesture, as later uncovered, was far less contentious than assumed. Sources confirmed that Verstappen was playfully saluting his friend Luke Browning, a Williams junior driver, who was standing near the garage. Far from an act of malice, it was a lighthearted exchange between the two—an explanation that aligns with Verstappen’s history of cheeky antics but contrasts sharply with the FIA’s strict new demeanor under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The controversy echoes past incidents, such as RB driver Liam Lawson’s middle finger to Sergio Perez during the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, which stirred debate over respect in the sport. Drivers have long argued that such gestures or swearing—often spontaneous in the heat of competition—are part of F1’s raw emotion, a sentiment Verstappen himself has championed. Speaking earlier this year, he criticized the FIA’s approach, saying, “Sometimes things slip out in the moment. We need a bit of common sense, not all these rules.”

Despite escaping punishment this time, the episode highlights the ongoing friction between F1’s drivers and the FIA. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) has repeatedly clashed with Sulayem over what they see as overly punitive measures, with figures like George Russell calling for dialogue rather than diktats. Meanwhile, fans on social media were split—some relieved at the FIA’s leniency, others questioning why such a gesture warranted debate at all in a sport fueled by adrenaline.

For Verstappen, the incident adds a quirky footnote to an otherwise smooth testing phase, where he expressed confidence in the RB21’s improvements without delving into specifics. As the 2025 season looms, with its first race set for March 14 in Australia, the Dutchman remains a focal point—both for his title defense and his knack for stirring the pot. The FIA’s decision to let this slide may signal a rare moment of flexibility, but with stricter rules now in place, Verstappen and his peers will be walking a tighter line than ever. What really happened? A friendly jest, a viral clip, and a governing body opting for context over confrontation—at least for now.