BREAKING: Red bull Implicated And Held Responsible for The Spa…Read more
BREAKING: Red bull Implicated And Held Responsible for The Spa…Read more
Red Bull’s Tyre Strategy Under Scrutiny After Verstappen-Russell Collision at Spanish Grand Prix
Red Bull Racing is facing criticism following Max Verstappen’s controversial collision with George Russell during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, with new footage and analysis suggesting that the team’s decision to fit hard tyres during a late safety car period may have contributed to the incident.
On lap 55, a safety car was deployed after Antonelli’s engine failure. Most leading drivers pitted for soft tyres to maximize grip for the final laps. However, Verstappen, lacking a fresh set of softs, was fitted with hard tyres—a choice that left him struggling to maintain temperature and grip upon the race’s resumption. This disadvantage allowed rivals like Charles Leclerc and George Russell to challenge his position. In a subsequent sequence, Verstappen appeared to let Russell pass but then aggressively re-overtook him, resulting in contact between the two cars. The FIA deemed Verstappen at fault, issuing a 10-second penalty and adding three penalty points to his Super Licence, bringing his total to 11—just one point shy of an automatic race ban.
Verstappen later acknowledged that the move was “not right and shouldn’t have happened,” attributing it to frustration over race conditions and strategy.
The incident has sparked debate within the Formula 1 community, with former world champion Nico Rosberg calling for Verstappen’s disqualification and highlighting the importance of driver conduct.
As the championship progresses, Red Bull’s strategic decisions and Verstappen’s conduct will be under increased scrutiny, especially with the Canadian Grand Prix approaching. Any further infractions could lead to Verstappen facing a race ban, potentially impacting his title defense.
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