Dutch racing legend makes ‘frustrating’ Max Verstappen claim that will worry Red Bull after George Russell collision

Max Verstappen dented his 2025 title chances after a collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver was running third behind the McLarens in the closing stages when Kimi Antonelli brought out the safety car after an engine failure. In the ensuing chaos, Verstappen pitted for hard tyres, having run out of fresh tyres.

The Dutchman did not understand the decision, and it appears the team did not either. Red Bull panicked when pitting Verstappen for the hard tyres, and it proved costly.

The four-time champion was overtaken by Charles Leclerc down the main straight at the restart before running wide as Russell made a move into turn one.

Verstappen came back on the track in P4 but was instructed to hand the position back to Russell. The Dutchman was not pleased with the matter and collided with the Mercedes driver in turn five, landing him with a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points to his superlicence.

Verstappen apologised to Red Bull in his debrief as he finished the Spanish Grand Prix in 10th. The 27-year-old admitted he was at fault for the incident with Russell, but Dutch racing legend Michael Bleekemolen thinks there is more to the drama.

Michael Bleekemolen thinks Max Verstappen is still thinking about his feud with George Russell after Spain incident

Verstappen says it is ‘unnecessary’ to talk to Russell after their incident at the Spanish GP. Verstappen refused to answer questions about the collision after the race, and Bleekemolen thinks that the feud between the pair in 2024 is still on the Red Bull driver’s mind.

Speaking to RacingNews365, the Dutchman claims that Verstappen’s drama with Russell in Qatar last season was ‘absolutely’ in his head during the ‘frustrating incident in Barcelona. This will worry Red Bull, as they cannot afford to have further distractions in the 27-year-old’s bid for the title in 2025.

Asked if Verstappen made a mistake, Bleekemolen said: “It looks very much like that. There’s a bit of a spin around it, of course, but is it a thing? And he doesn’t quite deny it himself. But he has to be careful with that, because those penalty points just add up and soon he will not be allowed to drive a race.

“It’s very frustrating. I thought it was doubtful myself, whether he had to give the position back. Because was he in front of it or not? There were some question marks.

“And to pass that decision right over the board radio, I found that immediately intense. Because was that really necessary? But now the stewards never come up with a judgment so quickly, so you have to make your own decision.

“Max is still thinking about a previous incident and that also counted with him again. That’s not quite right either, but of course that’s frustration at its best.

Asked if the incident in Qatar was still playing on his mind, he replied: “Absolutely. I don’t think he was kind of waiting for him, but of course it’s an unnecessary situation.”

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Red Bull cannot afford Verstappen-Russell to boil over as a race ban looms

Following his penalty in Barcelona, Verstappen is now 49 points behind Oscar Piastri, who claimed his fifth win of the season. The season is far from over, but the Red Bull driver’s antics have dealt a significant blow to his hopes of a fifth championship.

Furthermore, the 27-year-old is now one more penalty point away from a race ban. Guenther Steiner felt Verstappen’s punishment was ‘strict’, but it is a sanction he cannot afford to repeat as a suspension would be hugely damaging to Red Bull.

The latest episode of Verstappen’s feud with Russell is the last thing the team needs. Red Bull have fallen to fourth in the constructors’ championship after the Spanish GP; they will need their star driver fully focused and away from distractions.

Red Bull’s cars are now easier to set up after the FIA’s front wing technical directive in Barcelona. This will be music to Verstappen’s ears as he has a better chance of battling McLaren, provided he can stay out of trouble.