FIA faces online criticism for 'joke' Brazil Sprint decision

Photo: Race Pictures

Updated: 17:43, 08 Nov 2025

Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.

The decision to restart the Brazilian GP Sprint with a rolling start has sparked debate online.

On lap seven, several drivers — including Oscar Piastri, Nico Hülkenberg, and Franco Colapinto — fell victim to the wet curb at Turn 3, spinning and hitting the barriers. Of the three, only the German managed to limp back to the pits for repairs, while the McLaren and Alpine drivers were forced to retire early from the race.

Race control then deployed the red flag to allow marshals to clear the large amount of debris scattered across the track, with drivers taking the opportunity to change tires in the pit lane while waiting for the restart.

While most expected a standing start given the manageable conditions, the FIA ultimately opted for a rolling start — a decision that denied fans the excitement of another grid launch and quickly sparked debate online.

Photo: Race Pictures

Here’s a look at some of the best reactions from social media.

H K

@HKlotsofnumbers

·Follow

Replying to @MattP1Tommy

Why did they go for a rolling start? And are the rules regarding this transparent enough?

3:24 PM · Nov 8, 2025

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Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	156
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	115
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	106
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	73
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	70
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	55
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	37
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	32
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	28
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
12	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
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17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
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22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

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FIA faces online criticism for 'joke' Brazil Sprint decision

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