F1 News: F1 Stewards Back Max Versttapen After Co…read more

F1 News: F1 Stewards Back Max Versttapen After Co…read more

In a surprising turn of events at the Spanish Grand Prix, race stewards have ruled in favor of Max Verstappen following a heated on-track collision with George Russell a decision that has sparked widespread debate among fans, analysts, and teams.

The incident occurred in the closing laps as Verstappen and Russell battled intensely for fourth place. Despite instructions from the Red Bull pit wall to let Russell through — likely tied to team strategy or a prior incident — Verstappen held firm. What followed was a tense moment at Turn 10 where Russell attempted an inside overtake, only for the two cars to make contact after Verstappen subtly shifted his racing line.

Though the collision caused minor damage, neither car retired. Race control quickly took notice, and the clash became a major talking point. Verstappen, clearly frustrated, questioned the team order over the radio, maintaining he had done nothing wrong. He ultimately ignored the directive and continued racing hard to the finish.

After the race, both drivers were called to the stewards. In a decision that contradicted Red Bull’s in-race caution, the stewards cleared Verstappen, ruling that the contact fell within the bounds of fair, hard racing. They cited telemetry data and track positioning, noting that Russell had room to avoid the incident but chose to push ahead with the move.

“The maneuver was competitive but acceptable,” the stewards said. “No penalty will be applied.”

Verstappen was unapologetic in his post-race comments:

“I was told to let him through, but I disagreed. For me, it was a clean fight. I wasn’t going to make things easy, and I’m glad the stewards saw it the same way.”

Russell, while disappointed, kept his response professional:

“It was a tight battle and there was contact. From the cockpit, it felt avoidable, but that’s part of racing. The stewards made their call, and we move forward.”

The decision has divided opinion. Supporters praise it as a win for true racing, allowing drivers to settle disputes on track. Critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent by tolerating borderline aggressive moves.

Some experts suggest this may signal a shift in how race officials handle close combat between top drivers — with an apparent emphasis on letting the racing flow, as long as safety isn’t compromised.

Regardless of where fans stand, the Spanish Grand Prix will be remembered not just for the final standings, but for the drama, controversy, and a possible new tone in how F1 stewards interpret racing incidents — especially among the sport’s fiercest rivals.