The drama surrounding the controversial clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix has taken a fresh twist after Verstappen’s girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, broke her silence in a powerful and emotionally charged statement.

Following the release of new footage that appears to exonerate Verstappen from blame in the lap 11 incident with Russell, Piquet posted a message on her social media platforms that read:
“It’s time to tell the truth.”

The short but striking statement has set the F1 world abuzz, and fans, pundits, and even some drivers are now questioning whether Verstappen was unfairly targeted in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

The Incident: Chaos on Lap 11

The clash occurred on lap 11 at Turn 4, when George Russell attempted a bold overtake on Verstappen, who was defending P3 at the time. The Mercedes driver dived down the inside line, but the two cars made contact at the apex. Russell’s car suffered front wing damage while Verstappen was forced off-track and dropped two positions.

Race stewards quickly reviewed the incident but ruled it a “racing incident,” though both drivers appeared visibly frustrated on team radio.

However, following the race, several media outlets — and even Russell himself — subtly implied that Verstappen could have “closed the door” intentionally, igniting a fierce debate on social media.

New Footage Changes the Narrative

Just days after the race, Formula 1’s official broadcast partners released never-before-seen footage from Max Verstappen’s onboard camera and telemetry. The data clearly shows that Verstappen braked at the normal point, kept a consistent steering angle, and had limited space due to Russell’s aggressive approach.

F1 analyst Jolyon Palmer commented on the footage:

“Looking at the data, I don’t see any evidence that Max caused this on purpose. He had nowhere else to go. If anything, it was a risky lunge from George.”

This revelation triggered a massive shift in public opinion online. What was previously viewed as a 50-50 situation began tilting in Verstappen’s favor.

Kelly Piquet Speaks Out

Kelly Piquet, who has largely avoided public involvement in Verstappen’s on-track controversies, decided this time was different.

In an Instagram story that has since gone viral, she wrote:
“It’s time to tell the truth. There’s been too much silence, too many assumptions. Max has always raced hard, but fair. This narrative that he’s dangerous or reckless isn’t just wrong — it’s unfair.”

While she didn’t directly name Russell or the media, her post was widely interpreted as a response to what she sees as biased criticism aimed at Verstappen — criticism that, in her view, was based on misinformation and emotion rather than facts.

Fans Rally Around Verstappen

The F1 fanbase is now deeply engaged in the debate. The hashtag #JusticeForMax has resurfaced and is trending across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.

One fan tweeted:

“We’ve seen the footage. Max didn’t push Russell off — George sent it and paid the price. Stop blaming Max for being competitive.”

Others have praised Piquet for speaking out.

“Kelly has been quiet for a long time. Her speaking out shows just how wrong the narrative has gotten,” one fan commented on Reddit.

Russell Responds

George Russell was asked about the new footage and Piquet’s comments during a media session ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. His response was measured:

“I’ve seen the footage. It looks a bit different now, I admit. Maybe I was a bit too optimistic. But that’s racing — we move on.”

Russell stopped short of issuing an apology, but some viewed his tone as a quiet acknowledgment that the initial interpretation of the crash may have been hasty.

The Bigger Picture

This incident has reignited the debate over how drivers are portrayed in the media, and how quickly narratives can form — sometimes without full context. For Max Verstappen, who has spent years under intense scrutiny, this feels like a familiar storm. But with voices like Piquet’s coming forward, the tide may be turning.

Veteran journalist Martin Brundle summarized it well:

“This sport is emotional, intense, and always dramatic. But we owe it to the drivers — all of them — to look at the facts before we judge.”

Final Thoughts

With the Austrian Grand Prix just days away, Verstappen remains focused on defending his championship lead. But behind the scenes, the emotional weight of being misunderstood continues to follow him.

Kelly Piquet’s bold statement is not just about one incident. It’s about clearing the air, defending someone she believes in, and challenging the narratives that often dominate Formula 1 headlines.

As the F1 circus rolls on, one thing is clear: the truth has power — and now, it’s finally being told.