Red Bull Admits Verstappen Error Behind Spanish GP Crash Amid Sabotage Claims

Max Verstappen's controversial actions during the Spanish Grand Prix, including a collision with George Russell and the subsequent 10-second penalty, stemmed from a misjudgment fueled by frustration, according to Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko. The incident was precipitated by Red Bull's decision to pit Verstappen for hard tires during a safety car period, a move widely criticized as a 'bizarre decision' that left Verstappen vulnerable and struggling for traction against rivals on softer tires. Verstappen was ordered to relinquish fourth place to Russell, which he initially resisted before complying, only to later make contact with Russell, resulting in a penalty and a drop to tenth place. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has made unsubstantiated claims that Verstappen may have intentionally sabotaged his performance to activate an exit clause in his contract, a theory firmly denied by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Horner also criticized the FIA and race director Rui Marques for unclear regulations surrounding the incident, underscoring the challenges drivers face under ambiguous rules. Verstappen now faces the risk of a race ban due to accumulating penalty points, with his position in the championship standings affected after the race.