Hell of the American GP: Max Verstappen receives bad news from the FIA ​​and is ‘punished’ for the American GP. In addition, there is a risk that some drivers may become unconscious after the race due to dehydration and overheating.

Formula 1 is on the eve of one of the most challenging Grands Prix of the season: the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. With temperatures set to rise above 31 degrees Celsius this week and humidity around 25 percent, the FIA ​​has declared an official ‘Heat Hazard’. This is the second time in two weeks that this measure has been invoked, following a similar warning for the Singapore GP. As drivers prepare for physical hell in the cockpit, four-time world champion Max Verstappen from the Netherlands receives bad news from the FIA. He will receive a penalty that will directly affect his race weekend, and experts warn of the risk of some riders becoming unconscious after the finish due to dehydration and overheating.

Let’s start with the penalty for Verstappen. The Red Bull driver, who currently leads the championship with a 24-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris, already has a notorious history of FIA penalties. In 2025 he has already collected nine penalty points on his super license, after incidents such as a collision with George Russell in Spain and a time penalty in Miami. The FIA ​​uses a strict points system: twelve points within a year lead to an automatic race seat. With the American GP at stake, the international motorsport federation has now imposed a new penalty. During qualifying for the sprint race in Austin, which takes place today, Verstappen was given a three-place grid penalty for causing a minor collision with Oscar Piastri in the final corner of Q2. The stewards ruled that Verstappen defended too aggressively, which led to minimal damage but a violation of the driving rules. “This is a clear warning,” FIA race director Rui Marques said in a statement. “Safety comes first, especially in this heat.”

This punishment comes at a crucial time. Verstappen, who has already had several controversial moments in 2025 – think of his clash with Norris in Saudi Arabia and a discussion about swearing in press conferences – now risks more points. He’s at nine, and one more incident would take him to the threshold. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reacted furiously: “This feels like a premeditated action to hinder Max in his title fight. The FIA ​​must be consistent.” Fans on social media are sharing this frustration, with hashtags like #JusticeForMax trending. Yet Verstappen himself acknowledges that he must be more careful. In an interview with Dutch media he said: “I ride fast, but the rules are the rules. This weekend I focus on scoring points, despite the heat and this nonsense.”

But the real hell in Austin isn’t just Verstappen’s punishment; it is the merciless sun that awaits the riders. The cockpit of an F1 car can reach temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius, combined with the physical exertion of G-forces and acceleration. Drivers wear multiple layers of fire-resistant clothing, a balaclava and a helmet, which makes the sweat flow in streams. The FIA’s Heat Hazard activates Article 26.19 of the Sporting Regulations, which means that all cars must be equipped with a driver cooling system. This system, a vest with circulating cooling water, is optional for the drivers themselves, but teams must add 0.5 kg of ballast if a driver is not wearing it – to avoid an unfair weight advantage.

Despite these measures, medical experts warn of serious risks. Dr. Charlotte Holland, a sports medicine specialist, explains: “Dehydration can lead to reduced concentration, fatigue and in extreme cases unconsciousness. At Qatar 2023 and Singapore 2025 we saw drivers requiring post-race treatment for heat exhaustion.” In Singapore, the first official Heat Hazard race of the year, riders such as Charles Leclerc reported that the vest was only effective for five laps before the system failed due to overheating of the fluid. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso said: “It feels like an extra layer of clothing in a sauna. I chose not to wear it, but the heat kicked in after an hour.” George Russell of Mercedes, a proponent of the vest, argues for mandatory introduction: “This is not a comfort issue; it is survival.”

Verstappen shares the skepticism. The Dutchman, known for his direct style, previously called the system “clumsy and unreliable” during tests in Bahrain. “The tubes in the cockpit make it even tighter, and if it fails you actually get hotter,” he said. Yet he recognizes the danger: “In this heat you lose two to three kilos per race through sweat. A mistake due to fatigue can be fatal.” Other drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari debut season, prepare with intensive hydration protocols and ice baths. The GPDA, the drivers’ union, is pushing for faster innovations, such as integrated cooling in the racing suits.

The Circuit of the Americas adds additional challenges. The 5.5 kilometer track with its iconic hill and bends demands precision, but in the heat tires will wear out faster and engines will overheat. Teams such as McLaren and Ferrari are already testing special setups with extra ventilation. The race, which starts on Sunday at 2 p.m. local time, promises a tactical battle: whoever manages the heat best will win. For Verstappen, the penalty means that he starts from P4 in the sprint, which reduces his chance of extra championship points. Norris, his closest rival, laughs about it: “Max now has to drive smart, just like me in the heat.”

This GP highlights wider issues in F1: the impact of climate change on the calendar, with more extreme weather in Texas due to La Niña effects. The FIA ​​is considering adjustments, such as later starting times or mandatory breaks, but for now the burden rests on the shoulders – and in the sleeves – of the drivers. As fans gather for fireworks, music and the traditional American show, riders fight a silent war against the elements. Will Verstappen overcome his penalty and bring the title closer? Or will the heat strike, with dramatic breakdowns? Austin 2025 will be a race to frame or survive.