Verstappen Issues Apology Following Controversial Incident at Spanish GP
In a dramatic turn of events during the closing laps of the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen collided with George Russell, prompting an immediate response from Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner. Following the incident, Verstappen received three penalty points along with a 10-second time penalty.
The collision occurred as Verstappen was trying to defend his position after a pit stop under the late safety car. Having swapped to hard tires, he initially lost third place to Charles Leclerc at the restart. When Russell attempted to overtake at Turn 1, Verstappen retained his position but was instructed by race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to yield. Despite his reluctance, Verstappen appeared to concede the spot before colliding with Russell.
"Max apologized in the debrief for his incident with Russell," Horner confirmed, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Although Verstappen later stated on social media that the incident “should not have happened,” he refrained from a formal apology.
Horner expressed frustration over the outcome, noting: "We would never have been as close to Lando if it wasn’t for the three-stopper… The result that followed was frustrating as it was looking to be an easy podium for Max and good championship points."
The safety car’s untimely arrival hindered Red Bull’s strategy, preventing a stronger finish. The team is now focused on improvements as they prepare for the Canadian GP, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of racing. "It can turn in a split second… We will be busy working hard to make setup improvements and come back strong in Montreal," said Horner.
The incident adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Verstappen and raises questions about his aggressive racing style as he navigates the championship landscape.
