In a fiery outburst that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, former IndyCar star and current Sky Sports F1 pundit Danica Patrick has accused the FIA of deliberately sabotaging Red Bull and three-time world champion Max Verstappen while showing blatant favoritism toward British drivers in recent races.

The comments, amplified across social media platforms like Facebook, Threads, and Instagram in late 2025 and early 2026, stem from Patrick’s ongoing analysis of contentious decisions during the 2025 season. She pointed to a pattern of strict penalties, rule interpretations, and steward rulings that she claims disproportionately target Red Bull—particularly Verstappen—while allowing British talents like Lando Norris (McLaren) and George Russell (Mercedes) more leniency.

Danica Patrick, the trailblazing racer turned F1 commentator, speaking passionately during a Sky Sports broadcast—her bold FIA accusations have divided fans.

Patrick’s remarks echo longstanding fan theories of bias, especially after high-profile incidents: Verstappen’s 10-second penalties in Mexico City 2025 for aggressive moves against Norris (resulting in his drop to sixth), contrasted with lighter scrutiny on similar British-driver actions. She described the FIA’s approach as “blatant favoritism,” arguing it undermines fair competition and hampers Verstappen’s dominance amid Red Bull’s internal challenges and car development struggles heading into the 2026 regulations.

Max Verstappen in action during the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, where controversial penalties sparked Patrick’s sabotage claims against the FIA.

The FIA, under president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has faced repeated criticism for inconsistent stewarding. Patrick suggested the governing body is “undermining” Verstappen’s career, drawing parallels to historical favoritism toward certain nationalities (e.g., past claims of French or British bias). No official FIA response has addressed Patrick’s specific allegations, but stewards maintain decisions are evidence-based and independent.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has previously slammed “inconsistent” rulings, while Verstappen himself has voiced frustration over perceived unfair treatment. Patrick’s intervention adds fuel, given her status as a high-profile commentator—though she’s drawn backlash from some quarters, including former Red Bull engineer Blake Hinsey criticizing her broadcasting style.

The FIA’s headquarters in Geneva, where stewarding decisions are made—center of Patrick’s claims of bias favoring British drivers over Verstappen and Red Bull.

Fans are split: Verstappen supporters hail Patrick for “speaking truth,” sharing clips and memes accusing the FIA of anti-Red Bull agendas. Critics dismiss her as biased or attention-seeking, pointing to her past controversial F1 takes (e.g., questioning women’s readiness for the sport, rubbished by David Coulthard). Social media exploded with hashtags like #FIABias and #JusticeForMax, amplifying the debate ahead of the 2026 season’s major regulation changes.

Verstappen celebrates a podium in 2025—his relentless performance despite alleged FIA hurdles keeps the championship intrigue alive.

As F1 prepares for revolutionary 2026 cars and power units, Patrick’s bombshell raises questions about governance integrity. Is there systemic bias, or are these heated interpretations of close calls? The controversy shows no signs of fading, with Patrick’s words continuing to spark fierce discussions among drivers, teams, and millions of fans worldwide.