In a dramatic turn of events following the heated fallout from the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, new video footage and on-board telemetry have surfaced, providing crucial clarity on the controversial incident between Max Verstappen and George Russell. What was previously believed to be a deliberate foul by Verstappen now appears to be a misinterpretation of the moment — and the new images are changing the narrative entirely.

The footage, released late Sunday night by the FIA, shows an alternate angle of the Turn 3 maneuver during Lap 42, where many fans and analysts originally believed Verstappen intentionally forced Russell off the track. However, the new evidence seems to tell a different story.

 New Angles, New Conclusions

The newly released 360-degree onboard footage from both Verstappen and Russell’s cars shows that there was no actual contact between the two drivers. Contrary to Russell’s earlier claims, Verstappen maintained a steady line while Russell appeared to understeer due to dirty air and tire degradation.

Additionally, the car telemetry indicates that Verstappen did not brake-check or decelerate abnormally during the incident — a claim previously made by Russell and echoed by several F1 commentators.

“The new footage changes things,” admitted F1 analyst Karun Chandhok. “There’s no doubt Verstappen was aggressive in defense, but based on this angle, it’s not the deliberate foul we were led to believe.”

 Russell Responds: “It Looked Worse Than It Was”

Shortly after the footage was released, George Russell issued a statement via his official team account, acknowledging that his initial reaction may have been based on emotion rather than evidence.

“In the heat of the moment, I felt like I had been forced off,” Russell said. “But after reviewing the footage with the team, I can see now that there was no contact, and Max did maintain his line. I still think it was close, but maybe not as dangerous as I thought at the time.”

Russell, who finished 6th in the race, added that emotions often run high during tight battles, especially when championship points are at stake.

 Verstappen Vindicated

For his part, Max Verstappen appeared visibly calmer during Monday morning’s media rounds, taking the opportunity to say:

“I knew I hadn’t touched him. I defended my position as any driver would. I race hard, but I don’t race dirty. It’s good that the footage proves what I was saying all along.”

The Red Bull driver, who went on to finish second in the Spanish Grand Prix, also called on fans and commentators to wait for official evidence before making accusations in the future.

 FIA Closes Investigation

With the new data in hand, the FIA Race Stewards issued an official statement, closing the investigation into the incident.

“After careful review of new video footage, telemetry, and team radio communications, the FIA has concluded that no breach of racing conduct occurred between Car #1 (Verstappen) and Car #63 (Russell). No penalties will be issued, and the matter is considered resolved.”

The governing body also reiterated the importance of comprehensive data analysis before jumping to conclusions, especially in situations involving potential penalties or damage to driver reputations.

 Public Reaction: Mixed but Calming

The F1 community, which had been on fire with criticism following the race, is now toning down the outrage. While some fans still believe Verstappen pushes the limits too far, others admit that the new footage clears him of foul play.

Popular F1 subreddit discussions have shifted from “Ban Max” to “Why the rush to judge?” — reflecting the power of visual context in such a fast-paced sport.

“This is why we wait for the data,” one fan posted. “Max isn’t everyone’s favorite, but he didn’t deserve the heat he got based on assumptions.”

 A Lesson Moving Forward?

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about how quickly drivers, pundits, and fans react to controversial moments, often without complete information. Many within the paddock are now calling for a cooling-off period post-race before media interviews, especially when incidents are under review.

“In football, we wait for VAR. In F1, maybe we need the same approach,” said Martin Brundle.

 The Championship Battle Continues

With the dust settling and Verstappen cleared, the attention now shifts to the Austrian Grand Prix, where the title battle remains as fierce as ever. Verstappen sits second in the championship, just 12 points behind leader Charles Leclerc, and Russell is aiming to close the gap to the top five.

One thing’s for sure: after this week’s rollercoaster of accusations, footage reviews, and public apologies, Formula 1 remains as dramatic and unpredictable as ever.