Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second post-race time penalty in the Spanish Grand Prix for causing a collision with George Russell.
The Dutchman clashed with his Mercedes rival after being advised by his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to hand fourth place back, following an earlier collision at Turn 1.
Russell was on the inside of Turn 1 and understeered into Verstappen, causing him to take to the escape road and maintain the position. Fearing he’d be penalised for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, Lambaise told Verstappen to give the position back.
An irate Verstappen questioned the decision before slowing at Turn 5 and making contact with Russell, causing them to touch.
Reacting to the move in the post-race cool-down room, Lando Norris made a flippant seven-word comment towards his title rival.
Lando Norris makes flippant comment after seeing what Max Verstappen did to George Russell
The stewards investigated the initial incident between Verstappen and Russell and gave it no further action, but post-race they issued the 10-second time penalty for the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen dropped from P5 to P10 in the order, while Russell went on to finish in P4 at the chequered flag for Mercedes.
Norris, who finished in second behind race winner Oscar Piastri, reacted to the move after seeing it in a replay in the post-race cool-down room.
“I’ve done that before. On Mario Kart,” said Norris flippantly.
Max Verstappen faces further punishment from stewards
Verstappen’s move cost him valuable points in the process, as he would’ve walked away with 10 points if he finished in P4, but instead, he’s now lost nine points.
The stewards gave him further punishment in the form of penalty points on his FIA super licence. Verstappen was on eight points but has now been issued three more, which puts him close to triggering a one-race ban.
| Grand Prix/Points | Reason |
| Austrian Grand Prix 2024 (two penalty points) | Causing a collision with Lando Norris |
| Mexico City Grand Prix 2024 (two penalty points) | Forcing Lando Norris off the track |
| Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint 2024 (one penalty point) | Speeding during a Virtual Safety Car |
| Qatar Grand Prix 2024 (one penalty point) | Driving unnecessarily slowly during qualifying |
| Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 (two penalty points) | Causing a collision with Oscar Piastri |
| Spanish Grand Prix 2025 (three penalty points) | Causing a collision with George Russell |
Drivers who accumulate 12 points in a 12-month period are issued an automatic race ban. The last driver to fall foul of this regulation was Kevin Magnussen last year.
Verstappen’s first points don’t expire until the end of June, which means any further points could have serious implications in the next two rounds.
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