The world of Formula 1 was shaken by a new controversy following the Spanish Grand Prix 2025, where Mercedes Pilot George Russell published telemetric data and video evidence suggesting that Max Verstappen had deliberately struck him during a fierce battle. The incident, which occurred on the 64th round, relaunched the debate on the aggressive piloting style of Verstappen. Russell and several experts called on the FIA ​​to deduce the last penalty point from the super license in Verstappen, which could cause an automatic suspension of a race. This development could have disastrous consequences for the championship and the future of Verstappen at Red Bull.

The hanging broke out after a late intervention by the security car, launched by the abandonment of Kimi Antonelli, who brought together the peloton and imposed strategic decisions. Verstappen, third for Red Bull, stopped at the stands to put on hard tires, while his rivals like Russell and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) opted for tender tires, thus gaining the advantage in terms of grip. At Restart, Leclerc exceeded Verstappen, and Russell tried a maneuver at the first turn, causing contact which sent Verstappen on the emergency path. Red Bull, fearing a penalty for having taken the advantage, ordered Verstappen to give up the position in Russell in the fifth turn. However, while Russell got closer, Verstappen accelerated, hitting the Mercedes, which many, including Russell, considered a deliberate act.

The evidence of Russell, shared publicly on Mercedes’ social networks and presented at the FIA, include telemetric data showing the sudden acceleration of Verstappen before the cord point of turn 5, contradicting the deceleration provided to allow an exceeding. Embedded images corroborate the words of Russell, capturing the direction of Verstappen to the Mercedes. Russell, addressing Sky Sports F1, said: “The data is clear. He struck me while I was in front. It’s not racing; It is dangerous and it creates a terrible previous for discipline. The 2016 world champion, Nico Rosberg, abounded in the same direction, suggesting that Verstappen deserved a black flag for what seemed to be an “intentional reason”.

French the commissioners initially inflicted a 10 second penalty and three penalty points on Verstappen, bringing its total from 12 months to 11, a point less than the 12 -point threshold for a racing suspension. The new evidence of Russell has aroused calls for new measures, some believing that the remaining point should be deduced to strengthen responsibility. The former F1 pilot Ralf Schumacher, in a post-race chronicle, suggested that Verstappen’s actions were part of an assault scheme, referring to previous incidents with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in 2024. Critics like Elizabeth Blackstock of Jalopnik went further, pleading for the revocation of the 137 points of championship Verstappen, citing the disqualification of Michael Schumacher in 1997 for a similar intentional act.

Verstappen, however, presented partial apologies, admitting on Instagram that this decision “was not fair and should not have taken place”, but attributing it to its frustration in the face of Red Bull’s pneumatic strategy and the incoherent FIA racing directives. He avoided directly approaching the intention, refuting Russell’s accusations earlier by a sarcastic remark to bring “handkerchiefs” to the Mercedes driver. Christian Horner, from Red Bull, defended Verstappen, arguing that the team’s decision to order him to give in his place, for fear of a penalty that never took place, had exacerbated tensions. Horner noted: “Max was frustrated, but we will manage this internally. »»

The FIA ​​is now faced with a dilemma. The Commissioners’ report recognized the Répities of Verstappen to yield the passage, but did not qualify the collision as intentional, contenting himself with saying that he had “undoubtedly” provoked. Russell’s testimony could force a revision, even if IFA’s case law in terms of revision of penalties is limited. A single additional penalty point would dismiss Verstappen from the Grand Prix of Canada or Austria, which would take a hard blow to its title hopes, since it is 49 points behind Oscar Piastri (McLaren). The irregular performances of the Red Bull RB21, combined with the domination of McLaren, already place Verstappen in a precarious position.

Public opinion on X reflects divisions. Some fans, such as @claresweeney70, support Russell, citing telemetry as proof of Verstappen’s intentions, while others, like @henkwestra, argue that Russell is behind contact and that penalty points should be canceled. The pilot briefing in Montreal promises to be tense, Lando Norris comparing Verstappen’s gesture to escapades from “Mario Kart”. While FIA ​​deliberates, motorsport seeks to balance competitive aggressiveness, security and equity. The relentless competitor of Verstappen is at stake, and the outcome of Russell’s testimony could redefine his 2025 campaign and the outcome of the championship.