FIA Penalizes Mercedes at Japanese Grand Prix after…read more.
The FIA has issued a penalty to the Mercedes team during the Japanese Grand Prix, adding to their recent struggles in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The sanction came after an investigation into a potential rules violation during the race weekend at Suzuka.
According to FIA officials, the penalty was related to a technical infringement on the Mercedes W16, specifically concerning the car’s rear wing design. The governing body determined that the component did not fully comply with the technical regulations, leading to an official reprimand and a grid penalty for both drivers, George Russell and Mick Schumacher.
Mercedes, which has been trying to close the gap to front-runners Ferrari and Red Bull this season, expressed disappointment with the ruling. Team Principal Toto Wolff stated, “We respect the FIA’s decision but believe this was an unintentional misinterpretation of the regulations. We will work closely with the FIA to ensure full compliance in the future.”
The penalty significantly impacted Mercedes’ performance in the race, with Russell finishing outside the podium positions and Schumacher struggling to score points. The team’s hopes of securing a strong result at Suzuka were dashed as a result of the setback.
With Ferrari and Red Bull continuing to dominate, Mercedes faces an uphill battle to return to winning form. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Silver Arrows to see how they respond to this latest challenge.
