Source:REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
[Saba Sports News] After multiple technical violations were found in the 2025 season, Max Verstappen sharply questioned the current inspection mechanisms. He stated that if the FIA conducted thorough technical checks on all 20 cars after each race, at least half would fall below legal standards, but many times they simply aren’t chosen for inspection.
This season, five cars have already had their results disqualified due to failing post-race checks, with issues primarily related to insufficient weight or excessive wear on the floor’s skids. Among those affected were two Ferraris at the Chinese Grand Prix, an AlphaTauri in Bahrain, and two McLarens at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Notably, at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri originally finished second and fourth, respectively, but floor inspections revealed that both cars had multiple measurements below the minimum standard of 9 mm, resulting in their disqualification. Verstappen does not deny that teams often push the limits of the rules, but he admits that seeking gray areas is the norm in F1, as not every component is checked, and sometimes teams can evade detection.
From the writer’s perspective, random inspections objectively encourage teams to take risks and maximize performance, as there is potential profit as long as they are not singled out. In contrast, it would be better to have uniform standards and conduct comprehensive inspections; even if they are stricter, this would lead to greater transparency.