P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Upsetting Max Verstappen in Spanish GP ‘unleashed the lion’ in him
Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins believes that a series of frustrating incidents during the Spanish Prix brought out a fierce competitiveness in Max Verstappen.
Despite starting in fifth place and finishing on track in fifth, a time penalty pushed Verstappen back to 10th after a late-race incident with George Russell.
Verstappen’s anger was evident throughout the race, particularly towards other drivers and the team’s strategy decisions.
The climax of the race came when a mechanical failure and a poorly-timed safety car compounded Verstappen’s troubles, leading to a collision with Russell.
The altercation with Russell, along with Red Bull’s request for him to give back the position, sparked an emotional outburst from Verstappen.
Former Aston Martin strategist Collins noted that the incident at Turn 5 was a result of Verstappen’s mounting frustration throughout the race, hinting at intentional behavior due to the circumstances.
Collins highlighted Verstappen’s temperament and belief in following the rules, suggesting that his actions were a culmination of various factors that triggered his competitive nature.
