FIA confirmed disqualification on Red Bull star after… Read more
Max Verstappen found himself at the center of controversy during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix after an on-track incident with Mercedes driver George Russell. The clash occurred shortly after a safety car restart when Verstappen, rather than cleanly resuming the race, appeared to deliberately collide with Russell. The situation escalated as the two drivers made contact twice within a few laps, sparking widespread criticism across the paddock and from commentators.
Initially, Red Bull instructed Verstappen to let Russell pass after the first collision to avoid a penalty. Verstappen, visibly unhappy with the decision, slowed down as though to comply but then suddenly accelerated and veered into Russell again—an aggressive move that many interpreted as retaliation. Though Verstappen eventually did allow Russell through, race stewards deemed the incident severe enough to warrant a 10-second time penalty. This penalty dropped Verstappen from fifth place down to 10th in the final race standings, severely damaging his position in the championship standings.
One of the most vocal critics of Verstappen’s actions was 2016 Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg. During live coverage, Rosberg expressed shock and disapproval, describing the move as “bad, bad, bad” and urging that Verstappen should have been shown the black flag—a rare and serious penalty that signals disqualification. Rosberg argued that the incident was a clear case of a driver waiting for a rival and intentionally crashing into them, which he deemed completely unacceptable in modern Formula 1.
Rosberg also drew comparisons to past incidents, citing Sebastian Vettel’s 2017 clash with Lewis Hamilton in Baku as a similar example of dangerous behavior. He added that the 10-second penalty was overly lenient given the apparent intent behind Verstappen’s actions.
The incident had major consequences for the championship battle. Oscar Piastri won the race, with Lando Norris finishing second—both key rivals in the title fight. Verstappen’s finish outside the top five cost him vital points and placed him further behind in the standings. Additionally, Verstappen’s growing list of infractions means he is now just one penalty point away from an automatic one-race suspension, as he has accumulated 11 points on his super license within the past year.
While Verstappen has not publicly shown remorse, the backlash from figures within the sport—including former drivers, analysts, and even fans—has been intense. Some believe the Dutch driver’s fiery temperament has once again boiled over, overshadowing his immense talent. The debate now centers around whether Formula 1 stewards are doing enough to curb dangerous driving behavior and whether Verstappen’s style is becoming a liability rather than an asset.
As the season continues, Verstappen will need to tread carefully—not only to avoid a ban but also to repair his reputation in the sport. His conduct in Spain has raised fresh concerns over sportsmanship, and many will be watching closely to see how he responds in the coming races.
