George Russell slams Max Verstappen at Spanish GP over…read more
George Russell has spoken out following a dramatic clash with Max Verstappen at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, stating that the incident had “no place” in Formula 1. The Mercedes driver was involved in a controversial moment with the Red Bull star late in the race, shortly after a safety car restart. What started as a minor contact between the two quickly escalated when Verstappen appeared to deliberately drive into Russell after receiving instructions from his team to surrender the position.
The incident took many by surprise, especially in what had otherwise been an uneventful race. Verstappen, initially told by Red Bull to allow Russell through to avoid a penalty, appeared to slow down but then swerved toward the Mercedes before accelerating again—an act that many interpreted as intentional. Race stewards ultimately issued a 10-second time penalty to Verstappen, which dropped him from fifth place to tenth in the final classification.
Speaking after the race, Russell reflected on the incident, noting that the behavior reminded him more of amateur racing than professional Formula 1. “I was as surprised as anyone watching,” Russell said. “I’ve seen those kinds of moves in simulator games or in karting, but never at this level. It felt intentional in the moment, which made it all the more shocking.”
Despite being directly involved in the incident, Russell stopped short of calling for any specific punishment for Verstappen. When asked about 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg’s suggestion that Verstappen should have been black-flagged and disqualified, Russell remained diplomatic. “It’s not really my place to say,” he commented. “That’s up to the stewards. Right now, my focus is on our own issues—we’re working hard to make our car faster and more competitive.”
Russell ultimately finished fourth, while Verstappen’s penalty pushed him back to tenth, a result that significantly impacted the Dutchman’s standing in the championship battle. The crash, and Verstappen’s apparent reaction to being asked to give a place back, has led to renewed criticism of his temperament and decision-making on track.
Russell also expressed concern about the message such incidents send to fans and young drivers. “Max is a phenomenal driver—one of the best on the grid—and he has a huge fan base,” Russell said. “That’s why it’s a shame to see moments like this happen. It just doesn’t help anyone and usually ends up hurting him more than anyone else.”
With tensions high and Verstappen now just one penalty point away from a race ban, the spotlight will remain firmly on his actions in the upcoming races.
