The Formula 1 world is once again in turmoil following the controversial collision between Max Verstappen and George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1, 2025. New onboard footage of Verstappen has reignited debate over the incident, with Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet joining the fray with a cryptic statement on social media: “It’s time to tell the truth.” Her comment, posted to Instagram on June 5, 2025, follows the release of footage suggesting that Verstappen did not deliberately drive into Russell, as initially believed. The FIA ​​is now considering whether to review Verstappen’s harsh punishment – ​​a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his superlicense – further adding to the tension surrounding the incident.

The incident occurred in the closing stages of the race in Barcelona, ​​when a late safety car turned the race on its head. Verstappen, who had been on course for third place, was given hard tyres that he said offered “no grip”. After a collision with Charles Leclerc at the first corner, Verstappen was ordered by his engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to give his position back to Russell, who had previously touched him. Although the FIA ​​later ruled this was unnecessary, Verstappen’s frustration led to a collision at Turn 5. The stewards ruled the action was deliberate, resulting in a penalty that dropped Verstappen from P5 to P10, losing him 24 points to championship leader Oscar Piastri.

However, the onboard footage, shared by @F1BigData on X, shows a different perspective. Verstappen appears to steer normally into the corner without making any clear movement towards Russell, who followed the racing line and took the corner sharply. “Max did nothing wrong,” wrote one fan on X, and Kelly Piquet appears to share this sentiment. Her message, “It’s time to tell the truth,” posted next to a photo of Verstappen in his Red Bull, is seen as a call for the penalty to be reconsidered. While Piquet didn’t provide further details, her statement, which went viral with thousands of likes and comments, has bolstered public support for Verstappen. Fans on X, such as @HenkWestra, have highlighted that Russell himself may have been responsible for the contact due to his aggressive line.

The FIA’s announcement on June 6, 2025 to review the penalty comes amid mounting criticism of the stewards’ inconsistency. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner called the original decision a “capital error of judgment,” especially since Verstappen did not have to give up his position. Former driver Ralf Schumacher backed Verstappen on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast , arguing that the penalty was too harsh and that Verstappen was being pushed by frustration over his tire choice. On the other hand, critics including Nico Rosberg and Damon Hill continue to argue that Verstappen went too far, although Hill admitted on X that the action seemed “ill-judged” rather than deliberate.

The review of the penalty is crucial for Verstappen, who is teetering on the brink of a suspension with 11 penalty points on his licence. A race ban would seriously damage his 2025 title chances, especially with McLaren’s dominant form. Verstappen himself admitted in a statement on 2 June that the collision “should not have happened” and pointed to the emotions that were running high over the tyre choice and the safety car. His subdued reaction contrasts with the fierce comments from Russell, who according to @FIAsteward on X is now himself under investigation for verbal abuse following the incident, which could potentially lead to a three-race ban.

Kelly Piquet’s comments have not only reignited debate about the clash, but also drawn attention to the wider dynamics at work in Formula 1. As the FIA ​​reconsiders its decision, the rivalry between Verstappen and Russell remains a hot potato. With the Canadian Grand Prix approaching on June 13, fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the review and whether Piquet’s call for “the truth” will influence the FIA’s final verdict. For now, Verstappen remains resolute, but the pressure from public opinion and the FIA ​​continues to be felt amidst this tumultuous season.