FIA Has Issued Two Lifetime Bans From Formula 1

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has previously handed out two lifetime suspensions.

Over the past few years, the popularity of F1 has grown significantly, largely due to Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' documentary series.

In addition, the recent on-track action between the likes of Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris has kept fans glued to the TV screens.

Throughout the history of F1, there have been multiple moments of controversy, but two occasions have led to serious lifetime bans.

Spygate - 2007 - Nigel Stepney

Back in 2007, Nigel Stepney, who was working at Ferrari at the time, was the centre of a scandal labelled 'Spygate'.

It has been suggested that Stepney passed on Ferrari's technical secrets to McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan.

After an investigation, McLaren were handed a massive £50 million fine and were also thrown out of the 2007 Constructors' Championship.

According to Sky Sports, Stepney did admit to handing important information to Coughlan, but stated that he never intended for it to be used on McLaren's F1 cars.

The idea was for him and Coughlan to use the information to find other employment. Stepney was banned from working in F1 for life.

Speaking about the scandal, Stepney said: "I don't feel responsible in anyway at all for what happened at McLaren.

"My original idea was to make contact with somebody, not to benefit, but to see what I could do somewhere else with a group of people."

In 2014, Stepney passed away from a road accident at the age of 56.

Nigel Stepney was at the centre of F1's 'Spygate'. Image: Getty

Crashgate - 2008 - Flavio Briatore

The infamous 'Crashgate' happened during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

At the time, Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr crashed on Lap 15, bringing out the safety car.

Piquet Jr's teammate, Fernando Alonso, who started the race in 15th place, benefited after making an early pitstop. As other cars pitted for fuel, Alonso ended up being the race leader.

Eventually, the Spaniard won the race ahead of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

However, a year later, Piquet Jr. admitted that he deliberately crashed the car as his team had instructed him to do so to give Alonso the advantage.

This saw an FIA investigation open up, and some tough measures were taken against the Renault team.

The then-managing director, Briatore, was handed a lifetime ban from F1.

The FIA also disqualified Renault, but the disqualification was suspended for two years pending further rule infringements.

Flavio Briatore has seen his FIA ban overturned. Image: Getty

Briatore took things further as he decided to challenge his ban by suing the FIA and demanding compensation of €1 million. The court decided to rule in favour of Briatore and his ban was overturned.

He was given a compensation of €15,000, but the FIA decided to appeal the decision of the court.

Eventually, the two parties settled the matter, and it was decided that Briatore would remain out of FIA events until at least 2013.

In 2024, Briatore made a return to the F1 paddock as he became the executive adviser of Alpine. He has since become the French outfit's de facto team principal.