F1 analyst critical of Verstappen over Spanish GP crash: “Don’t like to see that”

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson has given his thoughts on the collision between George Russell and Max Verstappen during the closing laps of the Spanish Grand Prix. Admitting that he believes the move from the Dutchman against the Mercedes driver to be “intentional,” he was part of several discussions on this subject following the race.

After a late-race safety car, caused by the retirement of Kimi Antonelli, who suffered from a mechanical issue, Verstappen was faced with a challenging restart as his car was equipped with a set of hard tyres. Struggling with grip as race winner Oscar Piastri restarted the race, he clashed with both Charles Leclerc and Russell. 

As his emotions started to boil over, he collided with the Brackley driver’s car after being told to let him pass.

 “I don’t understand why Max slows down after Turn 4. Then, suddenly decides ‘no I’m not going to let him through’,” Davidson explained from the SkyPad.

“It’s almost he decides ‘no, I’m not going to let him by at all’ carries such excessive speed into the corner and he’s not out of control when doing this and divebombs into the corner, hits the Mercedes hard.”

The experienced analyst was clear in his conclusion.

“I think it’s intentional. And I don’t like to see that. Everything up until that point, I can’t blame Max for,” he ended.

Russell, talking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, admitted: “It felt deliberate in the moment, so it felt surprising.”

Verstappen was clearly frustrated by the order to allow Russell through after the two rubbed shoulders in Turn One following the restart. But former strategist Bernie Collins was keen to explain that the order stemmed from an informed decision.

“We hear the notification from GP [Gianpiero Lambiase] to say ‘give the position back’ but we don’t know where’s that come from.

“We don’t know if Red Bull had a conversation with the FIA in how they view it. There will be a team at Red Bull back in Milton Keynes going through the onboards and making a decision.”