Red Bull Racing faced scrutiny and subsequent punishment following Max Verstappen's victory at the United States Grand Prix, though the win itself remains unaffected. The team was summoned to the stewards in Austin, Texas, for allegedly breaching Article 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code. This article pertains to "failure to follow the instructions of the relevant officials for the safe and orderly conduct of the event".

The specific incident involved a Red Bull team member who re-entered the "gate well area" near the second grid position after the formation lap had commenced. This occurred as pit marshals were beginning to close the gate. Reports indicate the team member did not respond to the marshals' attempts to prevent them from entering the area. The team representative stated that the team member was unaware of the marshal's instructions.

The stewards determined that all team members and stakeholders should be aware that entering the track or hindering safety measures after the grid has been cleared is strictly prohibited. Hindering or delaying the process of closing the gates before the race start was considered an unsafe act.

As a result, Red Bull Racing was fined €50,000, with €25,000 suspended for the remainder of the 2025 season, contingent upon no similar breaches occurring. The stewards warranted a significant penalty to prevent any reoccurrence, but Verstappen's victory was not jeopardized, as the issue was a procedural error.

This incident highlights the FIA's increasing strictness regarding procedural compliance, especially concerning on-grid conduct. The team's actions were viewed as a safety concern, leading to the financial penalty. Verstappen's win in Austin marked his fifth of the season, narrowing the gap between him and Oscar Piastri in the driver's championship standings. Red Bull trails behind Ferrari and Mercedes in the constructor's standings.

Red Bull Racing has faced penalties in the past for breaching financial regulations. In 2022, the FIA found them guilty of a "minor" overspend of the 2021 budget cap. The team received a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in aerodynamic testing for 2023 as a result. The FIA stated that Red Bull "acted cooperatively" during the review and did not act in "bad faith, dishonestly or in fraudulent manner".