Max Verstappen has faced additional sanctions from the FIA stewards following a controversial incident with George Russell during the final stages of the Spanish Grand Prix. The collision, which occurred when Verstappen collided with Russell after being instructed by his team to concede his position, has sparked significant backlash within the motorsport community.
Initially racing in fourth, Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty as a result of the collision, relegating him to tenth place in the final standings. Furthermore, the stewards added three penalty points to his Super Licence, bringing his total to 11 points within a 12-month period. Accumulating just one more point could result in a race ban for the reigning champion.
The incident unfolded in the context of an earlier safety car after Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, suffered a mechanical issue. While other drivers opted for soft tyres during the pit stop, Red Bull decided to fit Verstappen with hard tyres. Struggling for grip post-restart, he lost positions to both Charles Leclerc and Russell. The situation escalated when, after initially appearing to comply with his team’s order to yield, Verstappen collided with Russell’s car at Turn 5.
Sky Sports commentator and former world champion Nico Rosberg condemned Verstappen’s actions, suggesting that the manoeuvre seemed like an intentional act of retaliation. Post-race analysis by the stewards confirmed their belief that Verstappen had deliberately slowed down to allow Russell to overtake before accelerating and causing the collision. Their verdict cited the visible reluctance from Verstappen to give up his position in the first place.
Despite the ramifications of his actions, Verstappen downplayed the significance of the incident when questioned by media. He preferred to focus on the race as a whole rather than the individual incident that defined his day.
Russell, who ultimately finished fourth, expressed his disappointment at Verstappen’s conduct, indicating that he found the collision surprising and unnecessary. He emphasised Verstappen’s talent and the negative implications of actions that could tarnish his reputation and affect how fans perceive him.
In summary, the incident during the Spanish Grand Prix has reignited discussions about driver conduct, penalties, and the responsibilities that come with being a leading figure in the sport. With future races looming, the implications for Verstappen’s standing within the championship are significant as he navigates the aftermath of this controversial episode.