Niki Lauda has spoken out against the penalty handed to Red Bull's Max Verstappen, echoing the Dutchman's concerns that such decisions are "killing the sport", something Verstappen himself said after the race.
Verstappen was penalised for a last lap overtake on Kimi Raikkonen because he crossed the 'track limit' with all four wheels, dropping him off the podium down to fourth, whilst also incurring a penalty point on his licence.
Three-time champion Lauda blasted the race stewards in his assessment of the penalty: "This decision is the worst I’ve ever seen," he said.
"He did nothing wrong. We’re racing drivers, we’re not on a normal road. It’s ridiculous to destroy the sport with this kind of decision."
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-120x86.webp)
Lauda says the matter of meddling stewards needs addressing at the next Strategy Group meeting, despite recent assurances that they would back off in such situations unless it poses a danger.
"Very simple. If they drive over [each other] and go upside down, only then they [the stewards] will come in. It was the beginning of last year [we agreed this].
"Next Strategy meeting we need to bring it up to the agenda and start it all over again. Because we cannot do that, it’s going too far.
"There was nothing to interfere with, it was a normal overtaking.”
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-350x250.webp)
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