F1 | Oscar Piastri’s vanished penalty sparks outrage: FIA under fire after Baku controversy. Oscar Piastri retired in Baku without serving his five-second penalty.

Piastri penalty scandal in Baku: outrage after FIA decision

The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has left behind a wave of controversy that shows no sign of calming down. Oscar Piastri was handed a five-second penalty at the start of the race for a false start. However, on the opening lap the Australian hit the barriers at Turn 5 and was forced to retire, without ever having the chance to serve the sanction.

On social media, commentator Carlo Vanzini reminded fans that a very similar case had already occurred in the past. At the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, Pastor Maldonado (Williams-Renault) received exactly the same five-second penalty for a false start. When he retired from that race, the penalty was converted into a five-place grid drop for the following round.

Fans and commentators call it a scandal

This is why the FIA’s decision has sparked anger across the paddock. Commentators and fans alike highlighted the inconsistency with past rulings. Carlo Vanzini summed it up by writing: “The last five-second penalty for a false start that wasn’t served in-race was Maldonado’s, and he got a five-place grid drop at the next event. You can write a thousand rules, but in the end it all comes down to [the Federation’s] discretion.”

His words reflect the growing perception that FIA decisions are arbitrary, echoing the frustration of many Formula 1 supporters who feel that rules are applied differently depending on the circumstances.

The FIA’s explanation

In the hours following the race, the stewards issued a clarification: Piastri’s unserved penalty would not be converted into a grid drop for Singapore. The explanation given was that FIA guidelines do not automatically transform a minor penalty, such as five seconds, into a grid demotion. But this reasoning has not convinced fans, who believe the governing body is applying the rulebook selectively, only adding more confusion to an already sensitive matter.

A rule that may need updating

The case remains a hot topic of discussion in the paddock. Some accuse the FIA of operating with “double standards,” while others argue that the rules themselves should be updated to prevent similar incidents in the future. Either way, the controversy surrounding Oscar Piastri’s vanished penalty has once again put the spotlight on Formula 1’s inconsistent stewarding.