The Grand Prix of Spain from 2025 will last a long time in the memory of Formula 1 fans, not only because of the intense battle on the circuit, but also because of the controversial collision between Max Verstappen and George Russell. The Dutchman received a ten-second time penalty and three penalty points for his super license for what was initially seen as a conscious maneuver against the Mercedes driver. However, new onboard images shed a different light on the incident, which shows that Verstappen did not deliberately submit on Russell. This development has again fueled the discussion about the honesty of the FIA ​​penalty and raised questions about the dynamics of the incident.

During the race in Barcelona, ​​Verstappen was accused of consciously causing a collision with Russell, an incident that took place in a heated battle for position. The FIA ​​ruled that Verstappen, who was currently driving hard tires and struggled with the grip of his RB21, was responsible for the collision. His reaction after the race, in which he faced Viaplay that he could have prevented the collision, seemed to strengthen the impression that he was guilty. However, newly released onboard images tell a different story. Anyone who carefully analyzes the footage sees that Verstappen did not deliberately sent Russell, but simply tried to make the turn, in line with the natural racing line.

The images show a crucial moment just before the collision. On the straight, about fifty meters before the bend, Verstappen looks in his mirrors to locate Russell, as asked by his racing engineer, who instructed him to return the position after an earlier violation. Russell, driving on the ideal racing line on the right, comes alongside. While both drivers are approaching the bend, it is clear that Verstappen is looking to the right, clearly aware of Russell’s position. In contrast to earlier assumptions, Verstappen does not send to the Mercedes, but he follows the inside of the left bend. His steering movements are consistent with an attempt to take the bend correctly, which suggests that the collision was not the result of an aggressive action on his part.

Yet the incident is not without nuances. Russell, who cut the bend from the inside to the inside, was on the racing line, while Verstappen was on the inside. Both drivers were aware of each other’s position, which makes the situation complex. Russell’s choice to cut the bend was possibly risky, knowing that Verstappen was driving on the inside. On the other hand, Verstappen, who knew that Russell was sitting next to him, could possibly reduce something gas to avoid contact. His remark after the race that he could have prevented the collision seems to refer to this moment of estimate. The question remains who bears the most responsibility: was Russell too aggressive in his approach, or could Verstappen have been more careful?

The new images have further fueled the discussion about the FIA’s punishment. Verstappen, who now balances with eleven penalty points on his license on the verge of a racing -ban, has had to deal with what some see as disproportionate penalties. The ten seconds of time penalty and three extra penalty points in Spain have made its position in the championship more difficult, especially in a season in which he fights neck with drivers such as Oscar Piastri. Critics, including former world champion Jacques Villeneuve, have pointed to inconsistencies in the FIA’s decisions, in which Verstappen seems to be being punished heavier than his rivals in comparable situations.

With the Austrian Grand Prix approaching, where Verstappen hopes to dominate his home race on the Red Bull Ring, the controversy around the Spanish incident lingers. The onboard images offer an opportunity to assess the events more objectively, but they do not solve all questions. Was it a pure racing error, a misunderstanding between two drivers under high pressure, or a combination of both? What is clear is that Verstappen’s actions do not show the intentional aggression for which he was punished initially. While the Formula 1 community continues to analyze these images, the call for more transparency and consistency in the FIA’s decision-making is growing, a theme that will undoubtedly continue to resonate in the 2025 season.