The Spanish Grand Prix took place last Sunday, June 1, 2025, and the racing was marked by a dangerous move involving two big names in Formula 1. The interviews after the race were even more controversial, in which the person responsible for the accident did not seem to be in the least bit remorseful for his actions. This attitude could end up resulting in the driver being suspended, changing the rest of the competition. Find out the names involved in the accident and what exactly happened at the Spanish GP.
Things got heated at the Spanish Grand Prix
The driver involved in the risky move at the Spanish Grand Prix is known for his aggressiveness on the track and for his breathtaking overtaking moves. Fast, shrewd, and ruthless, this time, the Red Bull driver’s qualities turned against him when he purposely – or not – decided to launch his car at the Mercedes driver. The two drivers involved in this controversy are, respectively, Max Verstappen and George Russell.
It all started after he had to stop in the pits to change tires. The young Dutchman, after putting on his last set of tires – the hardest for the race –had difficulty steering his car, which almost made him lose control on an exit at Turn 1, taking his car off the track. The opportunity was perfect for his rivals Charles Leclerc and George Russell to overtake him. Verstappen then ended up colliding with George Russell’s car as he tried to regain his position in the race to secure his place on the podium.
However, the minutes leading up to this event are crucial to understanding the controversy involved in this situation: Verstappen received direct orders on the radio from Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, telling him to let Russell overtake to avoid further problems. Verstappen then promptly decided to disobey the instructions. And now, the consequences of his impulsiveness can cost him dearly.
Will Max Verstappen really be penalized for his behavior?
The young man’s attitude, who was punished during the race by a fraction of 10 seconds and 3 penalty points, has been heavily criticized by the specialized press, mainly due to his explosive behavior on the track. After the race, Verstappen did not want to talk about the subject when questioned by a reporter, implying that his decision to collide with Russell did not matter.
The FIA, the governing body of Motorsport, fears that Verstappen’s behavior could put the lives of other drivers at risk in other situations like this. Now, the FIA continues to analyze the case to decide whether a more severe punishment is appropriate in this case, which could even lead to disqualification from this year’s championship.
On many social media forums, Formula 1 fans are expressing their disappointment with Verstappen’s tempestuous and risky attitude, while the driver himself posted on his social media, trying to explain what happened. Some advocated a more severe punishment for the driver, to teach some kind of lesson about safety measures, while others are defending the idea that moves like this are part of the “spirit of racing”.
What can we learn from Max Verstappen and this situation?
Whether or not Verstappen deliberately crashed his car into Russell’s Mercedes remains to be seen.
The imminent disqualification of one of the greatest names in Motorsport Racing is a milestone that goes beyond the points table. Even though he regretted crashing his car into Russell later, the lesson remains of the importance of following safety measures in the race, as well as the question of whether any attitude should be taken into consideration to win, even if it costs everyone’s safety.
