Verstappen Upset Over Unpunished Leclerc Incident as Controver

Verstappen Upset Over Unpunished Leclerc Incident as Controversy…read more

Max Verstappen is reportedly frustrated after “very clear footage” emerged showing Charles Leclerc making contact with him during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona—an incident for which no penalty was handed out by the FIA stewards. The footage, aired on Red Bull-owned ServusTV and referenced by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, shows Leclerc allegedly ramming Verstappen at a speed of 300 km/h, a moment that Marko believes should have warranted action from race officials.

The clash between the two drivers occurred after a late-race Safety Car was deployed when Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes stopped in the Turn 10 gravel due to engine failure. This prompted a final round of pit stops across the grid. Red Bull, with limited tyre options, fitted hard tyres on Verstappen’s car, leaving him vulnerable to rivals on softer compounds during the restart.

As the race resumed, Verstappen struggled for traction exiting the final corner, which allowed Leclerc to get a run on him down the main straight. The two cars made contact as they battled toward Turn 1, where Leclerc ultimately completed the overtake. The stewards reviewed the incident but concluded that neither driver was “wholly or predominantly to blame,” a verdict both drivers reportedly agreed with. Therefore, no penalties were issued.

Despite the official decision, Marko expressed disappointment over the lack of disciplinary action. “I have to say in Max’s defence: ServusTV showed very clear footage on Monday of Max being rammed by Leclerc at 300 km/h in Barcelona,” said Marko in an interview with OE24. “But nothing happened. Of course, that upsets him too.”

Verstappen’s frustration was further compounded by a separate incident later in the race involving George Russell. In that case, Verstappen was penalized with a 10-second time penalty and received three Super Licence points—a costly outcome that added to his dismay, especially when compared to the unpunished Leclerc encounter.

Speaking to the media, Leclerc downplayed the contact with Verstappen. He explained that due to the tyre disadvantage Verstappen faced, he was simply defending hard to keep his position. “You are fighting for third place, so he was just trying everything to get it back,” Leclerc said. “He tried to squeeze me on the dirty side of the track, but I had more speed due to the mistake he made.”

Leclerc added that he was trying to take a slipstream from the McLaren ahead and moved slightly to the left. “We touched a little bit, but there was nothing,” he stated, suggesting the incident was minor and typical of hard racing.

Verstappen ultimately finished P10 in the race and now finds himself 49 points behind Drivers’ Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who clinched his fifth win of the season in Barcelona. The incident has reignited debate over consistency in stewarding decisions, with Red Bull clearly feeling their driver was treated unfairly.