'Mercedes Mafia' - Fans slam FIA for being harsh on Verstappen, questions their decision on Lewis Hamilton

The Austrian Grand Prix has ignited a fierce debate among F1 fans and insiders, centring on the controversial collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Verstappen, leading the race for most of the time, faced a series of misfortunes towards the end.

A pit stop mistake from Red Bull, followed by a car malfunction, allowed McLaren’s Lando Norris to close in. Despite overtaking Verstappen, Norris was penalized for leaving the track and had to concede the position.

In a subsequent attempt to regain his position, Norris collided with Verstappen, resulting in punctures for both cars. This incident saw Verstappen drop to fifth place, earning a 10-second penalty and two penalty points, while Norris couldn’t continue despite returning to the pit lane.

Also WATCH: Max Verstappen and Lando Norris crashes out of Austrian Grand Prix

Fans and experts have voiced strong opinions about the penalties, with many considering them overly harsh. Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner deemed the collision “inevitable,” given the close racing between the two in recent weeks.

He criticized the 10-second penalty for Verstappen as excessive, noting that the race was already compromised due to the puncture. Despite the setbacks, Red Bull managed to secure valuable points, slightly diminishing the impact of the penalties.

Will FIA change the policies?

On the other hand, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella suggested that Verstappen’s aggressive defending stems from lenient punishments during his 2021 title fight with Lewis Hamilton. Stella's comments highlight a broader issue within F1: the consistency and severity of penalties. The FIA's handling of such incidents has often been scrutinized, with fans and teams alike questioning the fairness and effectiveness of the sanctions.

The incident has spurred extensive discussion on social media, with fans sharing videos that question the FIA’s ability to curb aggressive driving. Many believe that clearer, more consistent penalties are necessary to ensure fair play and safety on the track.

Also WATCH: Lando Norris questions his 'friendship' with Max Verstappen

Meanwhile, some fans lashed out at FIA also called Mercedes others Mafia. Fans questioned Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris’ similar activities which went uncalled and allowed by the FIA on different occasions.

Here are questionable FIA decisions on other drivers: 

"Hamilton nunca jogou sujo" https://t.co/5Vy3vpxKzS pic.twitter.com/gkz5ZeDJrs

— Fã do Verstappen (@Redbulista) June 30, 2024

Can FIA handle mounting pressure ahead of upcoming races?

This debate comes at a crucial time, as Red Bull and McLaren are locked in a tight battle for both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships. The outcome of such incidents could significantly influence the season’s final standings.

Also WATCH: Lewis Hamilton's disastrous move to overtake Carlos Sainz

As the discussions continue, the FIA faces mounting pressure to review its approach to penalties and ensure that racing remains competitive yet fair. Notably, the upcoming races in Silverstone and the remaining 13 races will surely see the rising competition between both McLaren and Red Bull.