It is allegedly a strategic call from Red Bull led to the inspiration of Max Verstappen at the F1 Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen left Barcelona’s fumes after a 10-second penalty drove him to P10 as it caused contact with George Russell.
He was the first to refuse to answer whether it was intentional, despite Russell’s claim.
Verstappen later admitted that piloting should not occur, but the root of his anger was identified.
Red Bull chose to pit Verstappen and put on stiff tires before the incident with Charles Leclerc, which the FIA investigated but took further action. This didn’t work.
“He had a hard time firing hard tires and was widely understood,” Alice Powell told Channel 4.
“I think it was Charles’ fault.
“I think it was a struggle that Max was mad, and then Charles comes across.
“I don’t think it deserves a penalty. We’ve seen something worse.”
Verstappen’s tires were laps a lap before Lando Norris when he entered the pit, and two more laps than Grand Prix winner Oscar Piastri.
“It was a strange decision from Red Bull,” Powell said.
“I think they could have poked it out and had a track position.
“It must have been tough to keep the lead, but I know how robust Max is.
“From Red Bull, I want to know why they chose to take him and put him on hard tires, and that was their only option: hard.
“Why not take a risk and rule him out?”
Max Verstappen “Don’t approach” after the F1 Spanish Grand Prix
Max Verstappen, Red Bull
©XPB Image
Verstappen’s nuisance spilled on the TV pen, where he conducted several cart interviews.
“He was clearly very disappointed with the outcome,” David Coulthard said.
“As I was waiting for him to do an interview, he wore a helmet and passed by! Don’t get close!
“There is frustration there and there are many questions about him not having an answer until he sits in the report.
“Why did we put hard? Why did we pit?”
“Hintwitter is great. They probably think they should go to the track position.”
Courthard was asked whether Verstappen’s moves against Russell were cautious.
“My sportsperson would like to imagine them all being a race incident,” he said.
“These guys are driving at 190 mph, George gets positioned at turn 5 and Max wants to start the race.
“When I saw the car trajectory, George was in, not Max was out. It didn’t look good.
“It’s not a great day for Max.”
