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

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.

Add as a preferred / source on Google

'I'm a bit of a diesel' Verstappen admits after tough Brazil sprint race

Weather conditions set to create disruptions in Brazil GP qualifying?

F1 Today | Colapinto victim of theft in Italy as Verstappen’s huge Dutch F1 impact hailed

F1 News•

Aug 08, 21:01

•Tobia Elia

by Tobia Elia

Antonelli lets loose on stage with famous group during F1 summer break

Lifestyle•

Aug 08, 20:01

•Tobia Elia

by Tobia Elia

GT rival sees Verstappen as a rare breed: 'If it fits on his calendar, he'd even do that'

Interview•

Aug 08, 19:01

•Shanna Lutgert

by Shanna Lutgert

max-verstappen-red-bull-raymond-vermeulen-jpg

Verstappen’s manager praises Max: ‘F1 in the Netherlands was in a deep winter sleep’

F1 News•

Aug 08, 18:01

•Hidde Korte

by Hidde Korte

MotoGP Full Sprint Results | Martin converts pole position into Saturday victory

MotoGP•

Aug 08, 17:32

•Kada Sarkozi

by Kada Sarkozi

Verstappen Red Bull exit tipped to trigger F1 driver market ‘musical chairs’

F1 News•

Aug 08, 17:01

•Tobia Elia

by Tobia Elia

Moto2 Full Qualifying Results | Another lap record falls, heavy crash causes red flag

MotoGP•

Aug 08, 16:36

•Kada Sarkozi

by Kada Sarkozi

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto enters the paddock

Colapinto victim of burglary during Lake Como holiday: ‘I hope whoever took it all enjoys it’

F1 News•

Aug 08, 16:01

•Tobia Elia

Times are in your local timezone

Rumors

More Rumors

Popular on GPBlog

MotoGP Full Qualifying Results | Martin snatches pole at Silverstone with track record

Hamilton shares first photos with new puppy Halo: 'Resting, restoring, recharging'

Verstappen Red Bull exit tipped to trigger F1 driver market ‘musical chairs’

Kelly Piquet shares fresh holiday images of Verstappen, Penelope, and Lily

F1-stand 2026

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	219
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	169
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	160
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	138
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	128
6	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	109
7	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	92
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	68
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	43
10	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	42
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	23
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
13	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	10
15	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
16	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
17	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	2
19	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
20	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
21	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
22	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0

Show Full Standings

FIA faces online criticism for 'joke' Brazil Sprint decision

Read also

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

'I'm a bit of a diesel' Verstappen admits after tough Brazil sprint race

Weather conditions set to create disruptions in Brazil GP qualifying?

F1 Today | Colapinto victim of theft in Italy as Verstappen’s huge Dutch F1 impact hailed

Antonelli lets loose on stage with famous group during F1 summer break

GT rival sees Verstappen as a rare breed: 'If it fits on his calendar, he'd even do that'

Verstappen’s manager praises Max: ‘F1 in the Netherlands was in a deep winter sleep’

MotoGP Full Sprint Results | Martin converts pole position into Saturday victory

Verstappen Red Bull exit tipped to trigger F1 driver market ‘musical chairs’

Moto2 Full Qualifying Results | Another lap record falls, heavy crash causes red flag

Colapinto victim of burglary during Lake Como holiday: ‘I hope whoever took it all enjoys it’

F1 Today | Colapinto victim of theft in Italy as Verstappen’s huge Dutch F1 impact hailed

Antonelli lets loose on stage with famous group during F1 summer break

GT rival sees Verstappen as a rare breed: 'If it fits on his calendar, he'd even do that'

Verstappen’s manager praises Max: ‘F1 in the Netherlands was in a deep winter sleep’

Popular on GPBlog

MotoGP Full Qualifying Results | Martin snatches pole at Silverstone with track record

Hamilton shares first photos with new puppy Halo: 'Resting, restoring, recharging'

Verstappen Red Bull exit tipped to trigger F1 driver market ‘musical chairs’

Kelly Piquet shares fresh holiday images of Verstappen, Penelope, and Lily

Season

'I'm a bit of a diesel' Verstappen admits after tough Brazil sprint race

Weather conditions set to create disruptions in Brazil GP qualifying?