The Formula 1 world is once again in turmoil following the controversial crash between Max Verstappen and George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1, 2025. New on-board footage of Verstappen has brought the incident back into focus, and now Kelly Piquet, Verstappen’s girlfriend, has chimed in with a statement stating that he did not intentionally drive into Russell, as was initially assumed.

The incident took place in the closing stages of the race in Barcelona, ​​when a late safety car was deployed upside down. Verstappen, who appeared to be on course for third place, instead got hard tires that he claimed offered “no grip.” After contact with Charles Leclerc at the first corner, Verstappen was instructed by his engineer Gianpiero Lambian to give his position back to Russell, who had earlier taken advantage of him. Although the FIA ​​later ruled this wasn’t necessary, Verstappen’s frustration led to a collision at Bend 5. Stewards judged the action as intentional, resulting in a penalty that dropped Verstappen from P5 to P10, losing him 24 points on championship leader Oscar Piastri.

However, onboard footage shared by @F1BigData on X paints a different picture. Verstappen appears to have sent the corner through normally without making a clear move on Russell, who followed the racing line and cut the corner sharply. “Max did nothing wrong,” wrote one fan on X, and Kelly Piquet appears to share this view. His message, “Time to tell the truth,” posted alongside a photo of Verstappen in his Red Bull, is seen as a call to reconsider the punishment. Although Piquet did not elaborate, his statement, which went viral with thousands of likes and reactions, has strengthened public support for Verstappen. Fans on X, such as @Henwestra, emphasize that Russell may have been responsible for the contact through his aggressive line.

The FIA’s announcement on June 6, 2025, to review the punishment comes amid growing criticism of the stewards’ inconsistency. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner called the original decision a “capital misjudgment”, mainly because Verstappen did not have to give his position back. Former driver Ralf Schumacher supported Verstappen on the Backstage Pit Lane podcast , arguing that the punishment was too heavy and that Verstappen was swept away by frustration over his tire choice. On the other hand, critics such as Nico Rosberg and Damon Hill maintain that Verstappen was going too far, although Hill admitted on X that the action seemed “misjudged” rather than deliberate.

The review of the punishment is crucial for Verstappen, who is balancing on the brink of a suspension with eleven penalty points on his license. A racing ban would seriously damage his title chances in 2025, especially with McLaren’s dominant form. Verstappen himself admitted in a statement on June 2 that the collision “shouldn’t have happened” and noted the emotions that played into the tire choice and safety car. His modest reaction contrasts with the fierce comments of Russell, who, according to @fiaasteward on X, is now being investigated for swearing after the incident, which could possibly lead to a three-race ban.

Kelly Piquet’s comment not only fueled discussion about the collision, but also drew attention to the broader dynamics of Formula 1. While the FIA ​​is reconsidering its decision, the rivalry between Verstappen and Russell remains an issue. With the Canadian Grand Prix on June 13, fans are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the review and/or whether Piquet’s appeal for “The Truth” will influence the FIA’s final judgment. For the time being, Verstappen remains determined, but the pressure from public opinion and the FIA ​​remains felt during this tumultuous season.