Is Formula 1 Under Threat of a Boycott?

From Its Origins to the Top

Let’s begin with a bit of history. Throughout the past decades, Formula 1 has transformed from a niche sport for engineers and daredevil racers into a global entertainment and technology industry driven by billion-dollar stakes. Long dominated by legendary manufacturers like Ferrari, Renault, and Mercedes, the sport has gradually opened up to new players and a global fanbase.

Today, F1 stands at a crossroads : between emerging markets (Azerbaijan, China, India, Qatar), technological innovation (hybrid engines, improved energy-recovery systems…), and “soft power”. A sport once seen as elitist has become a real lab for image and influence, where every decision now plays out as much on the track as in the arena of public opinion.

Formula 1 World Championship in Numbers

New Year, New Rules, New Criticism

This season (again) introduced several new technical and sporting regulations, such as limits on aerodynamic testing to reduce performance gaps between teams and the removal of the point for fastest lap.
However, these rulebook changes did not generate the most backlash. Instead, the frequent penalties imposed by the FIA on drivers and teams did.
Among them, Mercedes’ controversial penalty in Bahrain for a simple pit-lane speeding infraction, as well as the introduction of new fines of up to $200,000 (around €172,000) for “inappropriate behaviour” by drivers – a measure strongly criticised in the paddock by stars like Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

Scandal over McLaren's disqualification

On social media, each FIA ruling triggers a wave of reactions, placing the institution under unprecedented scrutiny.

The disqualification of both McLaren cars from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix is the latest example. In November, the team was stripped of its points after the race due to a minor technical non-compliance involving the floor (an aerodynamic component that channels air underneath the car to create powerful downforce and maximise cornering speed). The decision unleashed another wave of outrage online.

This surge of criticism is visible both in volume, with a spike in tweets on Sunday 23rd November starting at 10 a.m, and in the sentiment and tone of the messages

Growing distrust toward the FIA

This viral backlash reflects far more than simple online noise. It reveals a deep legitimacy crisis.

FIA decisions are increasingly viewed as contradictory and sometimes excessive. Moreover, the discontent appears to have spread to the paddock itself. Indeed, drivers, teams, and insiders now publicly denounce what they see as unpredictable governance.