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“All Hell Broke Loose” – Helmut Marko Opens Up on Verstappen-Russell Fallout at Spanish GP
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has shed light on the “misjudgment” by Max Verstappen that led to a dramatic collision and a 10-second time penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen was penalized by race stewards after appearing to intentionally collide with Mercedes driver George Russell. Although Russell was able to continue and finish the race, he was visibly stunned in his post-race interview.
The penalty dropped Verstappen to 10th place, dealing a significant blow to his World Championship campaign.
In a heated post-race interview, Verstappen appeared unfazed, stating it “doesn’t matter” whether the move was intentional. However, he released a statement days later, admitting the move was “not right and shouldn’t have happened.”
Now, speaking to Austrian broadcaster Servus TV, Marko provided insight into the incident.
“Max lifted off the throttle, so we all assumed he was letting Russell through,” said Marko. “Then suddenly, he accelerated again. I don’t know what kind of misjudgment or thought process was going on inside him. And then, as they say, all hell broke loose.”
Marko added that the incident was avoidable and emotionally driven.
“There have already been issues in the past. It was unnecessary, and a lot of points were lost. But because of all the incidents and wrong decisions that unfortunately happened, emotions simply got the better of him.”
Verstappen-Russell Feud Reignited
Marko’s reference to “past issues” alludes to an ongoing tension between Verstappen and Russell, which began during the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. After Verstappen impeded Russell during qualifying and lost his pole position, he accused the Mercedes driver of lobbying for a penalty in the stewards’ room.
In response, Russell branded Verstappen a “bully” and claimed he had threatened to “put him in the wall” during the race—allegations Verstappen later denied. The strained relationship was further underscored during the end-of-season drivers’ dinner, where the two reportedly sat as far apart as possible.
It remains unclear whether Verstappen ha1s personally apologized to Russell for the latest incident. However, Russell has publicly urged Verstappen to consider the influence of his actions, especially as a four-time world champion admired by many fans and young drivers.
As the F1 season intensifies, all eyes will be on how the dynamic between Verstappen and Russell evolves and whether cooler heads will prevail on and off the track.
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