The Red Bull Racing Team has been fined €50,000 for violations, with €25,000 of the fine being suspended on the condition that they do not commit similar infractions again during the 2025 season.
Recently, representatives from Melbourne were summoned to the stewards after a team member re-entered the track following the formation lap. The stewards determined that the team violated Articles 12.2.1.h and 12.2.1.i of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) sporting regulations.
The referee’s statement indicated that a team member re-entered the track through a corridor next to the second row after the formation lap had begun, just as the maintenance crew was closing the corridor.
According to the maintenance personnel’s report, the team members failed to respond to efforts made by the maintenance staff to stop them from entering the track. A representative for the team stated at the hearing that the members claimed they were unaware of the maintenance staff’s blocking actions. However, the referee held that anyone associated with the racing team or any other stakeholders bears the responsibility to recognize that entering the track or interfering with safety measures after the track has been cleared is strictly forbidden.
The judge noted that regardless of whether the parties received directives from the officials, actions that obstruct or delay the track closure procedures must be regarded as unsafe behavior. Therefore, the penalties against the team were deemed necessary. To prevent similar incidents from happening again, some financial fines have been temporarily suspended.
At the time of the event, four-time champion Max Verstappen claimed victory once again on the American circuit, also winning Saturday’s sprint race. This win has narrowed the gap between him and the McLaren driver, with the Dutch racer now just 40 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.
