Verstappen Accepts Blame for Collision, Penalized at Spanish Grand Prix

Max Verstappen admitted that his collision with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix "was not right and shouldn't have happened," acknowledging that frustration and emotions got the better of him after a safety car restart. Verstappen, who was on the slower hard tire compound, lost third place to Charles Leclerc and was asked by his team to let Russell pass, which led to the controversial incident where Verstappen initially slowed to let Russell through but then accelerated into him, causing a collision. The incident drew strong criticism from Russell, who believed Verstappen's move was deliberate and suggested a harsher penalty, while Verstappen initially refused to accept blame in post-race interviews but later issued a rare admission on social media. Verstappen received a 10-second penalty and three penalty points, bringing him close to a potential race ban. The crash sparked debate among commentators and fans about the nature of Verstappen's racing conduct, with some, including former world champion Nico Rosberg, calling for stricter sanctions. Despite the controversy, Verstappen emphasized his commitment to racing hard for his team and looked ahead to the next race in Montreal.