The FIA has officially responded to mounting pressure following Max Verstappen’s controversial collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, with the Red Bull star now facing a rare one-race ban. Verstappen, who received a 10-second penalty and three points for his part in the incident, has been demoted from third to 10th place – his lowest ever result at a Spanish Grand Prix. But the situation may not be over yet.
Russell, visibly upset after the race, publicly questioned the FIA’s response, suggesting that Verstappen’s behaviour warranted the disqualification. “It felt very deliberate… it felt strange,” the Mercedes driver said. “We are taught to drive carefully from an early age and this did not feel like racing.” In light of Russell’s statement and the “additional evidence” he himself presented after the race, the FIA has addressed concerns about its original decision. In a statement, the governing body said: “The incident was reviewed during the race and dealt with appropriately. We have since received further documentation from the Mercedes team. The FIA confirms that the penalty imposed was appropriate based on the information available at the time. However, we continue to assess any new evidence in line with established protocols.” Even more concerning for Verstappen is the accumulation of penalty points. Three more penalty points from the Spanish Grand Prix have been added, taking his tally to 11 points – just one point short of the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic race ban. The rule, introduced in 2014, has only resulted in a race ban once: for Romain Grosjean in 2012 after a first-lap crash in Belgium. Now, Verstappen faces pressure to avoid any rule violations at the upcoming Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix. Even a minor incident that costs him a single point could cost him a crucial race weekend. The FIA further commented on this looming possibility: The penalty points system was designed to encourage consistent adherence to racing standards. If a driver accumulates 12 points in a 12-month period, he will invariably face a race ban. Verstappen, who remained defiant after the race, appeared unfazed by the fallout and even mocked Russell’s frustration, saying: “Well, next time I’ll bring some tissues.” But with championship leader Oscar Piastri continuing to pull away, Verstappen cannot afford to sit out a race – especially as the title fight intensifies and history reminds us that even a single missed race can decide a season.
