Max Verstappen issues fresh statement amid backlash over actions at Spanish GP
Max Verstappen has addressed the recent incident involving George Russell by releasing a statement on social media.
The clash occurred during Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, which ended in dramatic fashion after Verstappen and Russell made contact on Lap 64.
Their confrontation began at the safety car restart, when the two drivers tangled on Lap 61, forcing Verstappen to use the escape road. After rejoining the track ahead of Russell, the Red Bull driver was instructed by his race engineer to yield the position.
Then, on Lap 64, Verstappen attempted to return the place to Russell but appeared to accelerate suddenly, resulting in a collision between the two. The stewards later deemed Verstappen at fault and handed him a 10-second time penalty, dropping him from fifth to tenth in the final standings.
Russell didn’t hold back in his post-race comments, saying: “I was as surprised as anyone. That kind of move belongs in video games or karting, not Formula One. We finished P4 while he ended up in P10. I’m not sure what he was thinking — it felt intentional at the time, which was unexpected.”
Verstappen declined to speak on the matter immediately after the race. However, on Monday, he posted a message online taking responsibility for the clash.
He wrote: “It was an exciting race in Barcelona with a strong strategy, but things changed after the safety car. Our tyre choice and some moves during the restart triggered my frustration, leading to a mistake that shouldn’t have happened. I always give my all for the team, and emotions can sometimes boil over. We win and lose together. See you in Montreal.”
Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg criticized Verstappen’s actions during a Sky Sports segment, saying: “He deliberately hit Russell — just to make a point. That was terrible. It looked really bad — just flat-out ramming him. That’s seriously unacceptable.”
