Red Bull Slams FIA's Lack of Response After Verstappen–Russell Controversy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has targeted Formula One's governing body, the FIA, and its race director, Rui Marques, for the lack of clarity on regulations. An incident between Max Verstappen and George Russell in the final stage of the Spanish Grand Prix sparked controversy, prompting Horner to address the challenge.
Verstappen held third spot in Barcelona until a safety car period pushed him to swap to hard tires due to the unavailability of other options. The rival drivers, meanwhile, were on soft tires. This put the four-time world champion in a tricky situation, and his frustration was evident over the team radio.
Verstappen struggled for traction after the safety car restart, leading Charles Leclerc to overtake him at Turn 1. George Russell, who was sat behind Leclerc, also tried to gain an advantage by squeezing himself on the inside line, but that led to contact with Verstappen.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.To avoid major damage, Verstappen took the exit road and found himself behind Leclerc and in front of Russell. Fearing a penalty for gaining an advantage off the race track, Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase asked him to give back P4 to Russell.
After much protest, Verstappen gave in to his team's demands, but soon after Russell passed him, Verstappen took the inside line and made contact with the Mercedes. While the damage wasn't severe, the incident raised eyebrows. The FIA handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty, leading him to finish the race in P10. Three penalty points were also added to his Super License, and now he remains just one point away from a potential race ban.
After the race, Horner explained the logic behind handing back the place to Russell and also addressed the need for clarity pertaining to the rules. He told the media:
"He was obviously upset because, first of all, he had Leclerc take a swipe at him on the straight, and then he's got dive bombed at Turn 1 by George.
"The way that these regulations are, it's all about where that front axle is. The drivers know the rules, and they're the rules that they're playing to.
"Now, the argument is, was George under control at that point in time? Would he have made the corner? It was 50-50. He looked like he would have made it.
"We've seen so many occasions this year where penalties have been given. We've seen it noted, it's gone to the stewards, and the next thing is, you're expecting to get a penalty.
"That's why it was, 'Okay, we're going to have to give this place up'."
He added:
"That's where it would be nice, as the referee, as a race director, to either say, 'Play on', or 'You need to give it [the place] back'.
"I think it's very hard for the team, subjectively, to try and make that call because you're going on historical precedents. You're looking at what you have in front of you, and you're trying to preempt what the stewards and the race director are thinking.
"It would be beneficial to the teams, in that instance, for the race director to make that call and say, 'You either give it back or you get a penalty', rather than having to try and second-guess what the stewards are going to do."
When Horner was asked about the race director's response when he was approached for clarity, he said:
"You get nothing back. You ask the question, but you get nothing back."
Horner didn't hold back, stating that the matter would be taken up with the Sporting Advisory Committee. He said:
"It's something that should be discussed in the SAC."
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