Max Verstappen has received a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Mercedes’ George Russell.

The decision comes after Verstappen drove into Russell at Turn 5 during the closing stages of the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen having been instructed by his Red Bull team to concede P4 to Russell in a late flurry of action after the Safety Car made an appearance.

Max Verstappen hit with 10-second time penalty at Spanish GP

Russell’s Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli ground to a halt in the gravel at Turn 10, triggering the Safety Car as the frontrunners all dived into the pits, though while Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Russell and Charles Leclerc were all now on softs, Verstappen was on hard tyres, the only tyre option he had left.

The race resumed on Lap 61 of 66, Leclerc and Russell challenging Verstappen down into Turn 1. Leclerc took the final podium spot, and Russell looked to find a way through too, Verstappen going off the track and returning ahead of Russell.

Verstappen was of the opinion that he was entitled to keep P4, but his Red Bull team did not agree, race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase making the call to allow Russell back through.

While frustrated by that order, it looked like Verstappen was playing ball as he moved over at Turn 5 and Russell came through, only for Verstappen to move right and hit the Mercedes at the apex.

Neither car suffered damage and Verstappen later conceded the place, but the stewards took a dim view of the incident and issued Verstappen with a 10-second time penalty, demoting him to P10 at the chequered flag.

More to follow…