Verstappen's finger brushed off as 'joke'

Max Verstappen's latest on-track antics will face no FIA repercussions, despite his history with the governing body's ever-stricter conduct rules.

The quadruple world champion, already penalised with community service for a 2024 expletive, now navigates tougher penalties in 2025 alongside his peers.

Last Friday, he raised eyebrows by flashing a middle finger from his Red Bull cockpit towards the Williams pitwall during Bahrain testing.

"I don't think I've ever heard either Formula 1 fans or even casual spectators complain about the behaviour of drivers—that they are setting a bad example," Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg told reporters. "On the contrary, I think people like it when athletes express their emotions."

Red Bull downplayed the incident. "The action was meant as a joke," a team spokeswoman told Bild newspaper, "towards a friend from an opposing team.

"We do not believe there will be any consequences."

Reports suggest Verstappen was playfully acknowledging Williams development driver Luke Browning, a friend.

The FIA opted not to investigate, viewing it as a light-hearted exchange rather than a breach.