F1 today:Catalunya Chaos: Verstappen Implodes at Spanish GP as Helmut Marko Finally break…read more
Catalunya Chaos: Verstappen Implodes at Spanish GP as Helmut Marko Finally break…read more
Max Verstappen’s fiery Spanish Grand Prix performance has sparked intense discussion, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko offering candid reflections on what he described as a chaotic series of events. The Dutch driver collided with George Russell in the closing stages of the race, and Marko admits he remains unsure whether Verstappen’s behavior was due to a “misjudgment or some strange thought process.”
The drama unfolded after a late-race Safety Car was deployed due to Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes stopping on track. Red Bull opted to pit Verstappen for new hard tyres, while his rivals, including Charles Leclerc and George Russell, switched to softs. Verstappen was visibly frustrated by the team’s strategy and questioned the decision over the radio.
As the race resumed, Verstappen found himself between faster cars on grippier rubber. Leclerc quickly overtook him, the two making contact in the process. Russell attempted to take advantage, but Verstappen went off track and used the escape road to rejoin ahead of the Mercedes driver. Red Bull, however, instructed him to relinquish the position.
“Leclerc bounced off Max’s car on the straight,” Marko told ServusTV. “Then came Russell. Max knows the rules well and argued that Russell was out of control, forcing him wide. Internally, we saw it as a 50-50 incident. But because it happened right after a Safety Car, the consequences of a penalty were greater.”
Despite protesting the order, Verstappen complied—sort of. Approaching Turn 5 on Lap 64, he appeared to slow down to allow Russell through, only to accelerate again just as Russell moved alongside. The result was a collision that sent shockwaves through the paddock.
Marko was clearly stunned. “Max lifted, so we assumed he was letting Russell by. Then he sped up again. I really don’t know what was going through his head. And then all hell broke loose.”
Sky F1 pundit and 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg went so far as to suggest Verstappen should have been disqualified, claiming the move seemed deliberate. Russell also felt the contact was intentional. The stewards, however, issued a 10-second penalty and three penalty points to Verstappen, ruling that he had caused the crash.
The sanction demoted Verstappen from fifth to tenth in the final classification, costing him valuable championship points. He now trails current title leader Oscar Piastri by 49 points and sits third in the standings.
Marko hinted at a possible personal rivalry between Verstappen and Russell contributing to the incident. “They’ve had issues before. It was totally unnecessary and cost us a lot. But with all the emotion, bad decisions, and pressure, Max just lost control for a moment. And don’t forget, there’s already tension with Russell.”
Given the tension after the race, Red Bull decided to skip a traditional debrief. “When Max is in that kind of mood, the best thing is to leave him alone,” Marko said.
Despite his combative post-race interviews in which he declared he had “no regrets,” Verstappen offered a more reflective view the next day. In a statement posted on Instagram, he admitted his emotions had boiled over.
“Our tyre choice at the end and the restart incidents added to my frustration, leading to a move that wasn’t right,” he wrote. “It shouldn’t have happened. I always give everything for the team, and sometimes emotions get the better of me. We win and lose together.”
Notably absent from his message was any apology to George Russell, a point noted by former Mercedes boss Norbert Haug. Marko acknowledged that even the partial admission of fault was hard-fought: “That kind of admission from Max doesn’t come easily.”
With tension rising, Verstappen will need to tread carefully—just one more penalty point cou
ld see him face a race ban.
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