Verstappen admits fault after fury erupts over Spanish GP crash that nearly sparked disqualification

Max Verstappen has broken his silence with a veiled apology after his crash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix sparked outrage across the paddock, online, and even among former champions.

What was meant to be a tense, strategic battle in Barcelona turned ugly when Verstappen, clearly incensed after a late safety car ruined his tyre strategy, lunged back into Russell’s Mercedes. The move, seen by many as deliberate retaliation, earned the reigning world champion a 10-second penalty and three penalty points—leaving him teetering on the brink of a one-race ban.

In the immediate aftermath, Verstappen remained defiant. “Does it matter?” he scoffed when asked if he had intentionally caused the incident. As for Russell’s scathing remarks, the Dutch driver sarcastically replied: “Maybe he needs a tissue.”

But after a night of scrutiny and condemnation, Verstappen posted on social media in a more measured tone. “We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out,” he wrote. “Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened.”

He admitted that “emotions can run high” and added, “You win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal.”

The incident occurred after Verstappen lost key positions following the safety car. With compromised tyres and rising tension, he allowed Russell to pass—only to surge up the inside and sideswipe the Briton’s car. The stewards concluded Verstappen was solely to blame, and their ruling was blunt: the crash was “undoubtedly” his fault.

Russell was furious, openly questioning Verstappen’s intent. “If that was deliberate, he should be disqualified,” he said. Nico Rosberg, a former world champion and now Sky Sports pundit, went even further. “It looked like a very intentional retaliation,” Rosberg said. “Wait for the opponent, go ramming into him—just like you felt he rammed into you at turn one. That deserves a black flag.”

The penalty dropped Verstappen to tenth place, costing him vital championship points. He now trails Oscar Piastri by 49 points in the title race. The extra sting? He’s now sitting on 11 penalty points. Just one more in Canada or Austria, and he’ll face an automatic one-race suspension.

Among his fellow drivers, reactions were cautious. Most wanted to review the footage before making judgments—but McLaren’s Lando Norris couldn’t resist a swipe. Comparing Verstappen’s move to a childish gaming tantrum, he joked, “Looked like something you’d try in Mario Kart.”

As the F1 circus rolls into Montreal, the incident is sure to dominate the drivers’ briefing. Behind the scenes, officials will be weighing Verstappen’s recent behaviour against the strict conduct expected at the highest level of motorsport.

While his statement may cool some tempers, many believe Verstappen has done lasting damage—not just to his title hopes, but to his reputation as well. In the eyes of some, it was an act of petulance. In the eyes of others, it was a moment of madness unbecoming of a champion.

One thing is certain: all eyes will be on Montreal.