Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 champion, admitted to intentionally crashing into Mercedes’ George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. His team advised him to let Russell through for fourth place to avoid a penalty. Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty.
After the race, Verstappen engaged in a fiery interview with Sky Sports F1, where he questioned whether it mattered whether his collision with Russell was intentional or not following criticism from his rival.
Now, the 27-year-old has issued an official statement via social media, claiming that his collision with Russell was ‘not right’.
“We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out,” he told his followers on Instagram.
“Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened.
“I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal.”
Verstappen edges closer to race ban
In addition to being given a 10-second time penalty, FIA race stewards deemed the incident serious enough to also hand Verstappen three penalty points to add to his super licence.
With 12 being sufficient for a one-race ban, that puts the current champion at 11 in the previous 12 months. He has two races left before accruing any more points on his licence, otherwise he will be disqualified, since the first of his eleven points expires on June 30.
In fact, 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg argued that Verstappen’s penalty was “lenient” and even demanded that the Dutchman be disqualified for receiving a black flag during the race.
In order to prevent further criticism from the stewards, Verstappen will now be exercising extreme caution throughout the next two race weekends.
