Three of Formula 1’s biggest stars have been called before race officials following a dramatic conclusion to the Miami Grand Prix, with potential penalties that could shake up the final race results. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and Mercedes driver George Russell must all answer to the stewards for separate incidents that occurred during Sunday’s chaotic race at Miami International Autodrome.
Mercedes newcomer Kimi Antonelli claimed his third straight victory by holding off McLaren’s Lando Norris in what proved to be an eventful afternoon. The German driver’s triumph extended his championship advantage over Russell to 20 points, while Oscar Piastri rounded out the podium in third place. However, the focus quickly shifted to the stewards’ room where multiple investigations could potentially alter the finishing order.
Verstappen faces scrutiny for allegedly crossing the pit exit line during his sole pit stop of the race. Should the stewards impose a five-second time penalty on the Dutch driver, he would drop from fourth to sixth position, falling behind Leclerc in the final classification. The incident represents another potential setback for Red Bull in what has become an increasingly competitive championship battle.
Leclerc confronts multiple investigations stemming from a heart-stopping final lap incident at Turn 3, where the Monégasque driver lost control of his Ferrari and spun dramatically. Despite narrowly avoiding a major crash, Leclerc’s car struck the barrier on exit, apparently damaging the front-left steering component. Race officials are examining whether he continued racing with a potentially unsafe vehicle and whether he gained an unfair advantage by leaving the track limits.
The Ferrari driver’s troubles didn’t end with the spin, as he subsequently cut multiple corners while struggling with his damaged car and ultimately dropped to sixth place behind both Russell and Verstappen. Additionally, stewards are reviewing contact between Leclerc and Russell at the Turn 17 hairpin, adding another layer to an already complex post-race investigation that could significantly impact the championship standings.