Red Bull was fined for violating regulations ahead of the US Grand Prix.
The team was fined 50,000 euros, of which 25,000 euros will be suspended for the remainder of the 2025 season, provided there is no repeat offense.
The incident involved a Red Bull team member who “entered the gatewell area near number two on the grid” after the start of the formation lap.
Following Max Verstappen’s dominant victory in Austin, stewards have announced that Red Bull have been summoned to a hearing for possible breaches of Article 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code.
Why was a “significant fine” justified?
“At the moment the formation lap started and pit marshals began to close the gates, team members re-entered the gate well area of Gate 1 near grid 2,” the stewards explained in a statement.
“Reports from pit marshals indicated that team members did not appear to be responding to their efforts to prevent him from entering the gatewell area. Team representatives stated at the hearing that they were told by team members that they were unaware that the marshals had attempted to stop him.”
“However, the Stewards have decided that team officials and other interested parties must be aware that they are absolutely prohibited from entering the track after the grid has been cleared or disrupting the safety measures used to prepare the track for the race.
“Therefore, regardless of whether the instructions given by the officials were realized by the officials, obstructing or delaying the process of closing the gates before the start of the race must be considered a dangerous act, thus justifying a significant penalty against the team.
“To prevent recurrence, some of the fines will be suspended.”
Verstappen took an impressive third win in the last four races, increasing the pressure on McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the championship.
The four-time world champion has narrowed the points gap to Piastri to 14 points with five races remaining.
Verstappen also won Saturday’s sprint race, taking his total to 25 points at Piastri throughout the Austin weekend.
Asked if he felt he was in the title race now, Verstappen said: “Yes, we have a chance.
“We need to give it our all this weekend. We’re going to try everything we can. It’s exciting and we’re very excited to the end.”
In the other Red Bull, his teammate Hiroki Tsunoda finished 7th.