Max Verstappen makes fresh FIA complaint as Red Bull star swerves punishment

F1 world champion Max Verstappen has hit out at the FIA after holding a bizarre press conference in Austria today. Ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix, Verstappen, 27, caused a stir with journalists in Spielberg by refusing to engage with several questions.

His behaviour is related to his FIA licence having 11 penalty points on it. Two of those, received for a collision with Lando Norris at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, expire on Monday, meaning the Red Bull man is walking a tightrope this weekend. One more misdemeanour will see him hit 12 points and trigger a one-race suspension.

That was clearly playing on the Dutchman's mind as he faced the media. Asked about the FIA's penalty points system, he replied: "I'm not going to comment on that. I can't risk getting another penalty point."

He then appeared exasperated when asked if he was considering changing his aggressive driving style to avoid a sanction, saying: "You're joking? Is this like a trap? I'm getting this question every single time, every weekend. I have nothing to add."

Hours later, however, Verstappen opened up on his frustrations while speaking to a pack of reporters. He claimed he was unable to speak his mind or answer questions honestly, as officials were frequently looking to scrutinise his comments, even during informal chats with press members.

"I'm just not allowed to be critical," he complained. "Here too, yeah. Because it still gets written down and people say, 'Max said this, Max said that.' They can even make a fuss over that.

"Everything can be interpreted as criticism and you can get punished for it. It's clearly stated in the regulations. They can take it as 'this is critical towards us,' so then I'd rather say nothing anymore."

Verstappen can ill afford to be reserved with his approach on the weekend if he is to keep his hopes of a fifth consecutive world crown alive. He trails the overall leader Oscar Piastri by 43 points, with second-placed Norris 21 points ahead of him.