The FIA has officially responded to Max Verstappen’s controversial comments after the Australian Grand Prix, where the Red Bull driver called out fellow Formula 1 competitors for questioning the decision not to deploy a red flag during the final laps of the rain-hit race in Melbourne.

FIA Defends Its Decision

During the race, a safety car was brought out after Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto crashed in the wet conditions. Some drivers and fans argued that a red flag should have been shown instead, considering that marshals and a recovery vehicle were on track to clear the damaged cars. However, Verstappen dismissed concerns, stating: “If you crash into that behind a safety car, you’re really stupid.”

In response to Verstappen’s comments, an FIA spokesperson issued an official statement, defending their handling of the situation: “The decision was made based on safety assessments at the time. The conditions were closely monitored, and all necessary protocols were followed. The deployment of the safety car was deemed appropriate given the circumstances on track.”

Final Ruling by the FIA

Following an internal review, the FIA has stood by its original decision, confirming that a red flag was not required. Officials emphasized that track conditions, visibility, and driver safety were all taken into account before opting for a safety car intervention rather than stopping the race entirely.

Despite Verstappen’s blunt remarks, the debate over red flags in wet conditions is likely to continue, with many questioning whether the FIA’s decision-making process should be more cautious in similar scenarios in the future.