FIA make late F1 rule change ahead of Miami Grand Prix after incident involving Max Verstappen

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, have reportedly made a regulation change ahead of the Miami Grand Prix due to an incident involving Max Verstappen.

Back in March, during the 2025 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, Haas driver Oliver Bearman was a lap down as the safety car was deployed.

Usually, cars that are a lap down would unlap themselves before the race resumed.

However, Haas decided to bring Bearman into the pits, and as the Brit came back out, he joined right into the leading pack.

Bearman was behind leaders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, but was in front of Verstappen, who was third at the time.

The rookie was then allowed to unlap himself before the race got back underway.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, it has been claimed that the FIA have decided to alter the sporting regulations, especially Article 55.14.

The Miami Grand Prix weekend will begin on Friday. Image: Getty

As reported by Racing News 365, the change allows race control and race director Rui Marques to close the pit exit when the safety car train is passing by.

This is to prevent a similar incident from happening where a backmarker could end up rejoining the pack among the leading cars.

The rule now states: "Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the safety car these cars should then proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking and they must make every effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car.

"Whilst such cars are proceeding around the track to rejoin the line of cars behind the safety car, and at the sole discretion of the race director, the pit lane exit may be closed when the safety car and line of cars behind it are approaching and passing the pit lane exit."

Prior to Thursday's media day at the Miami Grand Prix, it was revealed that reigning world champion Verstappen would not be present due to the expected birth of his first child.

As per Sky Sports, a statement from Red Bull read: "Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby. All is well and he will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend.

"We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family."