Max Verstappen Receives FIA Penalty Verdict Ahead of Canadian GP as Hamilton Retirement Rumours Swirl
With the Canadian Grand Prix fast approaching, FIA steward Derek Warwick has spoken out about the recent controversy involving Max Verstappen during the Spanish Grand Prix. The reigning world champion received a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points following multiple incidents on track, notably with Mercedes driver George Russell.
In a dramatic race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Verstappen’s frustrations were on full display. The 27-year-old clashed twice with Russell, refusing to relinquish position during their first encounter, arguing over team radio, “No, I was ahead… he just ran me off the road.” That decision, and his aggressive follow-up move at Turn 5, drew scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. While the FIA later clarified that Verstappen was not obligated to return the position after the initial incident, speculation has lingered over whether his actions were deliberately provocative.
FIA steward Derek Warwick, a former F1 driver himself who competed between 1981 and 1993, will be officiating this weekend in Montreal and weighed in on the events in Spain. Speaking to Plejmo, Warwick acknowledged Verstappen’s growing frustration. “I can see why Max got angry,” Warwick said. “He thought he was treated unfairly by both Charles Leclerc and George Russell. When the team told him to give the place back, he didn’t believe it was necessary, and that frustration spilled over into a collision.”
Warwick suggested that Verstappen’s mounting tension stems from a shift in his recent form. No longer dominating the field as he did during previous seasons, Verstappen appears rattled by closer competition. “When you’re used to winning and suddenly things start going against you, it’s tough. On paper, Barcelona looked like a race he could win, especially with a three-stop strategy. But nothing went to plan.”
The stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second time penalty and added three penalty points to his license—bringing his total to 11, just one shy of the 12-point threshold that would trigger a one-race ban. Warwick defended the punishment as balanced: “Should he have done what he did in Turn 5 with George? Absolutely not. But he did get a penalty. Some compare it to Vettel’s 10-second drive-through for hitting Hamilton in Baku, but that was clearly intentional. Watching the footage back, Max did try to avoid George at the last moment—it wasn’t right, but it wasn’t fully deliberate either.”
While some argue the penalty should have been more severe to set an example, particularly for younger racers, Warwick believes the decision was fair. “Each incident must be judged on its own merit. It was questionable, yes—but I think the FIA got it about right. A ban might be justified to send a message, but I don’t think it was warranted here.”
Looking ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix, Warwick will once again play a critical role in race oversight. He steps in for fellow steward Enrique Bernoldi, stating: “I’m doing Canada now instead of Enrique, so I think I might be busy.” Warwick was the first ever driver steward and has spent over 15 years in the role. “My first race this season was Miami, and I’ve got another eight to do: Montreal, Austria, Budapest, Monza, Singapore, Qatar, Abu Dhabi.”
With Verstappen now just one penalty point away from a race ban, Warwick and the FIA stewards will be closely monitoring his behavior in Montreal. Any further misjudgments on track could sideline the Red Bull driver for a race—a significant blow in a tightly contested championship season.
Meanwhile, as Verstappen battles on track, rumours have also begun to swirl around Lewis Hamilton. Sources suggest the Mercedes driver is “considering retirement,” potentially adding another twist to an already turbulent F1 season. Whether these rumours will materialize remains to be seen, but all eyes will certainly be on both Hamilton and Verstappen as the drama unfolds in Canada.
