Red Bull team boss Christian Horner refrained from commenting on Max Verstappen’s Turn 5 collision with Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix until he had spoken to Verstappen. Verstappen’s frustration stemmed from events leading to him finishing 10th after being passed by Leclerc and Russell following a safety car restart. Red Bull advised Verstappen to give back a position to avoid a penalty, which led to his subsequent collision with Russell. Verstappen received a 10-second penalty and three penalty points, bringing him close to a race ban. He later acknowledged his mistake on social media, highlighting his frustration with tire choice and moves post-restart.
Red Bull’s decision to pit Verstappen under the safety car and put him on hard tires proved to be a crucial factor in his struggles on the final laps. Horner explained that this aggressive strategy left him vulnerable to competitors on softer tires. The unexpected restart nearly caused Verstappen to crash, allowing Leclerc and Russell to overtake him. The use of hard tires made Verstappen vulnerable and hindered his performance in the race. The strategic decisions taken by Red Bull and Verstappen’s subsequent actions ultimately influenced his performance and outcomes during the Spanish Grand Prix.
