The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, held at the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, has left behind a trail of controversy that continues to fuel social media and headlines. At the center of the turmoil is four-time world champion Max Verstappen, whose maneuver against George Russell has unleashed a storm in Formula 1. The Mercedes driver did not hesitate to call the FIA’s sanction “unfair,” fueling a debate that promises not to die down anytime soon.

The incident occurred in the closing laps of an already tense race. Verstappen, driving his Red Bull, became embroiled in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Russell after a Safety Car was brought out by Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s engine failure. Red Bull’s strategy, which opted for hard tires instead of the soft ones used by his rivals, left the Dutchman at a disadvantage. In an attempt to regain positions, Verstappen made a controversial move: after going off track at Turn 1 and receiving orders from his team to give the position back to Russell, the driver reduced his speed on the approach to Turn 5, but suddenly accelerated, colliding with Russell’s Mercedes. The FIA ​​responded with a 10-second penalty and three points on his superlicense, relegating him from fifth to tenth place. With 11 points accumulated in 12 months, Verstappen is now just one point away from an automatic suspension.

A visibly frustrated George Russell didn’t hold back when discussing the incident. “It seemed deliberate. It’s not the kind of behavior we expect in Formula 1,” said the Briton, who praised Verstappen’s skills but questioned the need for such risky maneuvers. His words resonated on social media, where fans were divided: some defended Verstappen’s aggression as part of his racing style, while others, including former champion Nico Rosberg, called for harsher punishments, even a black flag. “If this isn’t intentional, I don’t know what is,” said Rosberg, generating even more controversy.

Verstappen’s reaction only added fuel to the fire. In his trademark defiant tone, the Dutchman responded: “Does it matter if it was deliberate? There’s nothing to say. Next time I’ll bring Russell tissues.” This irony, published by media outlets such as ESPN, quickly went viral on platforms like Facebook, where users shared memes and conflicting opinions about the Red Bull driver’s character. However, in a subsequent twist, Verstappen clarified his words, admitting that “it wasn’t right and it shouldn’t have happened,” according to a post on X by @F1SergioNez. This change of tone did not calm the waters, as the Formula 1 community continues to discuss whether the sanction was sufficient or if the FIA ​​​​is being too soft on the reigning champion.

The incident has also put the FIA ​​under fire, facing criticism for its handling of penalties. Some pundits, like Anthony Davidson, called Verstappen’s move “intentional,” while others, like McLaren boss Zak Brown, took the opportunity to highlight his team’s dominance, which achieved a 1-2 finish with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in Barcelona. The race, marked by high tire degradation and multiple overtaking maneuvers, showcased the competitiveness of the 2025 season, but the clash between Verstappen and Russell stole the headlines.

With the Canadian Grand Prix just around the corner, from June 13-15, all eyes are on Verstappen. If he picks up one more penalty point, he will become the first world champion to be suspended for accumulated penalties, a record no one wants. Meanwhile, Russell and Mercedes are preparing their strategy to challenge Red Bull on the track, but also off it, where the war of words continues. Is the FIA ​​too strict or too permissive? Is Verstappen a misunderstood genius or a driver crossing the line? The debate is open, and social media, especially Facebook, is the perfect platform for fans to share their opinions. Share this article and join the discussion: who is right in this Formula 1 drama?