The controversy surrounding the Miami Grand Prix continues to dominate Formula 1 discussions days after the checkered flag, with former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner now openly criticizing the FIA’s handling of penalties and race officiating. The outspoken Italian-American believes Formula 1’s current stewarding system is becoming increasingly inconsistent, particularly following the severe post-race sanction handed to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Speaking during a recent episode of The Red Flags podcast hosted by Matt Elisofon and Brian Muller, Guenther Steiner questioned both the transparency and the timing of FIA decisions, arguing that race control is creating unnecessary confusion for teams, drivers and fans alike.
According to Guenther Steiner, Formula 1 urgently needs a stricter framework regarding how quickly investigations and penalties are issued during a Grand Prix weekend. The former Haas boss explained that he had only learned about additional sanctions after already leaving the circuit and boarding his flight home from Miami, a situation he considered unacceptable for a sport operating at the highest professional level.
Guenther Steiner suggested that if race officials cannot reach a decision within a reasonable amount of time, penalties should simply not be applied afterward. In his view, prolonged investigations damage the credibility of Formula 1 and create the perception that race results are being modified long after the on-track action has ended.
Charles Leclerc’s Miami penalty becomes major talking point
The debate intensified after Charles Leclerc received a heavy 20-second time penalty following the Miami Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver had suffered a spin before hitting the barriers, leaving his Ferrari SF-26 visibly damaged. Despite the incident, Charles Leclerc attempted to continue to the finish line while cutting several chicanes along the way.
The FIA stewards ultimately decided to penalize the Monegasque driver for repeatedly leaving the circuit without a justifiable reason, adding 20 seconds to his final race time after the event had already concluded.
Guenther Steiner strongly disagreed with both the severity and the interpretation of the incident. He argued that Charles Leclerc was simply trying to avoid stopping the car in a dangerous location, something that could have triggered yellow flags or even a Safety Car situation late in the race.
From Steiner’s perspective, the Ferrari driver was acting responsibly under difficult circumstances rather than attempting to gain an unfair advantage. The former team principal also pointed out that Formula 1 drivers are naturally conditioned to fight until the very end of a race, especially when championship points are still at stake.
He reportedly felt that a 20-second penalty was far too harsh given the context of the situation and described the final verdict as excessive compared to the actual sporting impact of Charles Leclerc’s actions.
Questions over FIA consistency continue to grow
Beyond the Ferrari incident itself, Guenther Steiner also raised broader concerns about how Formula 1 race control currently manages controversial situations. Over recent seasons, FIA decisions have repeatedly become major headlines, with fans and teams often questioning the consistency of stewarding calls between different Grands Prix.
Steiner echoed concerns discussed during the podcast regarding the growing perception that FIA interventions are influencing final race classifications too heavily. In his opinion, the governing body risks creating the impression that race outcomes are being shaped in the stewards’ room rather than decided purely on track.
The discussion also referenced Max Verstappen’s controversial pit-exit white-line investigation from the Miami weekend. Guenther Steiner argued that some cases should be relatively straightforward to judge, particularly when clear visual evidence is available.
According to the former Haas boss, situations involving track limits or pit-exit lines should not require extended analysis because the evidence is usually objective: either the driver crossed the line or did not.
Ferrari frustration grows during difficult 2026 campaign
The Charles Leclerc penalty controversy arrives during an already complicated period for Ferrari. The Maranello team continues to face criticism regarding both performance and consistency, with the SF-26 still struggling to consistently challenge McLaren and Mercedes at the front of the grid.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have both experienced a frustrating start to the 2026 Formula 1 season despite Ferrari introducing several aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades in recent races. While the Scuderia has shown occasional flashes of competitiveness, operational mistakes, reliability concerns and race management issues have prevented the team from establishing itself as a genuine title contender.
The Miami Grand Prix therefore became yet another difficult chapter in Ferrari’s campaign, with Charles Leclerc’s late-race incident and subsequent FIA penalty adding further frustration inside the Maranello garage.
As Formula 1 heads toward the next round of the championship, the spotlight will likely remain firmly fixed on FIA stewarding consistency, especially after Guenther Steiner’s latest comments reignited debate about how modern Formula 1 penalties are managed and enforced.
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