Max Verstappen clashes with rival George Russell in lock phases of the Spanish Grand Prix – while stewards are launching research

Max Verstappen has received a time penalty of 10 seconds George Russell In the dramatic definitive laps of the Spanish Grand Prix – re -lending tensions between two of the most flammable rivals of Formula 1.

The incident took place with three more laps to go, after Verstappen was instructed via Team Radio to let Russell go through, after he had earned an advantage earlier in the race.

Verstappen was reluctant and told his team: “No, no, no, no.”

However, he initially seemed to be satisfactory by moving off-line at bend four, but he was then late and closed his pre-right band, made contact with the side of Russell’s Mercedes while the Brit tried to pass.

Russell was left stunned and immediately shouted ‘What the F*?’* About team radio -a reaction that attracted attention, given his earlier criticism of FIA attempts to clamp during live broadcasts.

Race Stewards immediately launched an investigation and, after revising the statues, handed Verstappen a fine of 10 seconds to cause a collision.

Despite the sanction, the reigning world champion still succeeded in ending 10th, with Oscar Piastri Taking the checkered flag for McLaren.

Max Verstappen (right) and George Russell (left) clashed during Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix

Verstappen initially refused to let Russell pass when he was asked by his team via the radio

But Verstappen seemed to be satisfactory later, only to brake late and lock his tires for the first right, make contact with his rival while he tried to pass him on the outside of a bend

Russell responded to the incident in an interview after the race with Sky Sports: ‘I was just as surprised as you were probably. It felt deliberate. ‘

This was the newest flash point in an icy relationship between the two drivers.

Their rivalry began to simmer for the first time in 2022 when Russell Verstappen passed in humid conditions in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, which led to complaints from the Dutchman about aggressive driving. But it really cooked on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint Race from 2023, where the couple collided with the opening round.

Verstappen, who remains with a hole in his side pod, then confronted Russell furiously in Parc Ferme, called him “a princess” and told him sarcastically: “Expect the same time next time.”

Russell defended his move and insisted that Verstappen should have left more space and the Red Bull star accused of ‘losing his head’.

Tensions remained high throughout the season and eventually culminated in a word war after the Qatar Grand Prix of 2023. Verstappen was punished for hindering Russell during qualifying, so that the Dutchman claimed that he “had lost all respect” for his rival.

Russell was not repentant for the 2024 campaign. ‘I have no intentions [to speak with him]To be honest, “he told BBC Sport. “That happened last year. I want to concentrate on myself. We don’t go back to the best friends, that’s for sure. ‘

Asked if he would change his approach to wheel-to-wheel fights, Russell added: ‘No worries about him or his driving. I’m not going to change my approach by fighting him or other drivers. ‘

Verstappen did not look impressed after he had to settle for 10th place in the Grand Prix of Sunday

Russell (right) and Verstappen, depicted next to each other on the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix of last month, have bumped several times and are apparently not the best friends

It was not only Russell who was in Verstappen’s bad books on Sunday.

Earlier in the Barcelona race, the Red Bull driver also collided with Charles Leclerc, with contact while they start the starting starting straight. Verstappen claimed about Team Radio: ‘He rammed into me. That’s a punishment! ‘

His frustrations were exacerbated by a controversial call of tire during the last period of the safety car, where Red Bull put him on hard tires while McLaren chose softs. “Why are we difficult?” Asked Verstappen. His engineer replied: “That was the only option.”

Driving Verstappen not only frustrated Russell – it also left the mock from others in the paddock.

In the Cooldown room after the race, Lando Norris looked at a repeat of the collision and joked: “I did that before … in Mario Kart.”

De Lijn left McLaren teammate Piastri.