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Verstappen’s Light-Hearted Gesture to Williams Driver Browning Goes Unpunished Despite FIA’s New Misconduct Guidelines

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 1, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Verstappen’s Light-Hearted Gesture to Williams Driver Browning Goes Unpunished Despite FIA’s New Misconduct Guidelines

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 26: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on during the drivers photocall prior to F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 26, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202502260676 // Usage for editorial use only //

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As the F1 2025 pre-season testing in Bahrain draws to a close, Red Bull’s reigning World Champion, Max Verstappen, has once again found himself in the limelight. This time, it’s not over his racing tactics or disciplinary issues, but a friendly jest directed at Williams junior Luke Browning.

Footage captured from Verstappen’s onboard camera during the final day of testing revealed him sending a light-hearted middle finger salute down the pit lane. The recipient of this seemingly playful gesture remained a mystery until a report by German news outlet Motorsport-Total identified Browning as the target.

Browning, a 23-year-old Williams academy driver, has been honing his skills in preparation for his maiden full season in the Formula 2 series with Hitech in 2025. He has an impressive resume, finishing third in the F3 standings last year and clinching victory in the esteemed Macau Grand Prix in 2023. Browning made his debut in FP1 for Williams at the season finale in Abu Dhabi last year, sharing driving duties with Carlos Sainz in the subsequent post-season test at Yas Marina.

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Despite the FIA’s recent crackdown on driver misconduct, which could see drivers facing fines, race bans, and points deductions, Verstappen appears likely to escape any punitive measures for his cheeky gesture. The FIA has chosen not to investigate the incident, allowing the Red Bull driver to avoid the limelight of controversy this time around.

This leniency comes in contrast to last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, when Verstappen drew the ire of the FIA for using profanity in a pre-race press conference. Verstappen’s defiance during the remainder of the weekend, which included curt responses at FIA press conferences and an impromptu media gathering after qualifying, resulted in community service ahead of the FIA’s annual prize-giving ceremony.

Pioneering the FIA’s new guidelines, Hyundai WRC driver Adrien Fourmaux found himself on the wrong side of the rules during last month’s Rally Sweden. An unfastened helmet and an expletive-filled interview resulted in a hefty €10,000 fine, with an additional €20,000 suspended for 12 months.

This is not the first time Verstappen has had a run-in with a Williams-affiliated driver. Earlier this year, Verstappen crossed paths with Williams iRacing Academy driver Jaden Munoz during a virtual race, leading to a heated exchange between the two racers.

The stakes are high for Verstappen as he approaches the F1 2025 season with eight penalty points against him. Twelve points within a 12-month period can trigger a one-race ban, a fate Kevin Magnussen experienced last year during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Verstappen’s penalty points have been accumulating, with six of them earned during the final five rounds of F1 2024.

Verstappen’s F1 journey has been filled with thrilling races, nail-biting finishes, and occasional controversies. As the 2025 season gears up, fans will be keen to see whether he can walk the disciplinary tightrope successfully while defending his World Champion title.

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