FIA ‘shame’ over ‘wrong decision’ after 300 kph F1 collision

Former Ferrari general manager Peter Windsor has launched a fierce critique of the FIA stewards, branding their handling of the high‑speed incident at the Spanish Grand Prix “a shame” and “wrong” .

The Incident

On the main straight during a safety‑car restart, Charles Leclerc attempted an overtake on Max  Verstappen at over 300 kph. The resulting wheel‑to‑wheel contact triggered both drivers to attend the stewards, but no penalties were issued. The official verdict stated that while both drivers agreed the collision was avoidable, “neither driver was wholly or predominantly to blame,” and “no further action” would be taken .

Leclerc’s Admission

After the race, Leclerc confessed to deliberately nudging Verstappen left to prevent him gaining the slipstream from the two McLaren cars ahead . That admission prompted Windsor to assert the FIA must acknowledge their misjudgment and issue an apology:

> “If Charles is now saying ‘well yeah it was basically me’, the FIA are wrong then in their assessment… They should be correcting that now and apologising.”

Windsor’s Warning

Windsor emphasized the severity of the incident:

> “The worst accidents we can have in F1 now are gonna be on the straight… That’s why this needs to be jumped upon.”

He argued that steering clear of penalizing such manoeuvres, especially after Leclerc’s admission, risks setting a dangerous precedent.

European Reaction

George Russell, who was involved in a separate collision with Verstappen in the same race, described the clash as “unnecessary” and “felt deliberate” —a sentiment that has only added fuel to the growing scrutiny over the stewards’ inconsistent decisions.

What Happens Next?

No formal response has yet come from the FIA.

The stewards stand by their original conclusion that neither driver was predominantly at fault.

With Leclerc’s admission on record, senior voices including Windsor are now urging the FIA to revisit the verdict, apologize, or even impose retrospective action.

The fallout from Spain is expected to be discussed again ahead of the Canadian GP later this month.

Bottom line: A shock collision at over 300 kph, followed by a public confession, has some of F1’s most respected figures challenging the FIA’s consistency. The stewards’ inaction may undermine safety precedents and credibility in the eyes of teams, drivers, and fans.