Ex-F1 Team Boss Asserts Max Verstappen ‘Lost His Mind’ over George Russell Clash at Spanish GP

Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner reckoned that Max Verstappen might've lost his mind before his collision with George Russell at Spanish GP.

Ex-F1 Team Boss Asserts Max Verstappen ‘Lost His Mind’ over George Russell Clash at Spanish GP

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull), George Russell (via Getty)

Max Verstappen had a disastrous weekend at the Spanish GP. The Dutch driver became the center of controversy following a polarizing move on George Russell during the race. Many have criticized the Red Bull driver’s antics, potentially hinting at sabotage. However, former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner reckons that Verstappen wasn’t thinking straight.

During the race, a late Safety Car ruined Max Verstappen‘s strategy. The 27-year-old had to put on a set of hard tires for the restart, making him struggle for grip. This led to the Dutch driver going off-track while defending against George Russell. Matters only got worse when he was instructed by Red Bull to give the position back. However, Verstappen slammed into the Mercedes when he seemed to be giving the position to Russell.

Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg claimed that the Dutchman intentionally crashed into the Mercedes, demanding Verstappen to be disqualified. Though, veteran F1 journalist Peter Windsor believed that the ten-second penalty for the Red Bull star was more than enough.

Guenther Steiner insisted that it was not like Max Verstappen was in a position of panic. Rather, the four-time world champion simply lost his mind over the situation, something that rarely happens in Formula 1. Steiner hinted that the hard tire call from the Red Bull pitwall triggered Verstappen and led to the fallout. Though, the former Haas boss applauded the Dutchman for managing the car even after it almost went sideways.

Panic, maybe, is the wrong word, but I think he lost his mind there. He was not used to that. He was so upset about the tires they put him on. I think that triggered it, and not many drivers… when he got on the gas and got sideways at the restart, there are not many drivers who could catch a car like this.

Guenther Steiner said on Red Flags podcast

Max Verstappen was left ‘disappointed’ at Spanish GP

The reigning world champion seemed set for at least a podium in the race. Moreover, the three-stop strategy could’ve further done wonders for Max Verstappen, who might have had a chance to challenge the two McLarens upfront. Though, the Safety Car ultimately ruined all prospects of the 27-year-old.

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (via Red Bull Content Pool)
Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (via Red Bull Content Pool)

Guenther Steiner asserted that after the Red Bull RB21 almost slid sideways, Max Verstappen basically gave up on the race. The Red Bull star just did not have the energy to keep things intact for the remainder of the race. Steiner further pointed out that Verstappen was left extremely disappointed as everything went against him following the Safety Car.

And just then, he couldn’t get it together anymore. It was weird because he’s a little temperamental, but not this much. I think he was so disappointed, because in the end, he did a good race until then. The three stop of Red Bull was very good.

Guenther Steiner added

Certainly, Max Verstappen would be looking to move past this dismal race. The Dutch driver was simply unlucky with the timing of the Safety Car. If it had happened some laps earlier, the reigning world champion could’ve made a free pitstop as part of his race strategy. However, this is just a part of racing, sometimes it favors a driver and sometimes it doesn’t. Now, Verstappen must introspect the collision with Russell, and ensure that such an incident is not repeated in the future. Though, the F1 paddock will continue to discuss this incident in the coming weeks.

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