The aftermath of the Spanish Grand Prix has ignited a firestorm within the Formula 1 world, with Max Verstappen now caught in a maelstrom of criticism following a contentious altercation with George Russell. The reigning four-time world champion’s late-race maneuver—deemed illegal by the FIA—has not only drawn the ire of fans and pundits alike but has also led to a harsh penalty that dramatically impacted his standing. The FIA levied a 10-second time penalty against Verstappen, demoting him from fifth to tenth place, and issued three penalty points on his super licence—placing him perilously close to a race ban with 11 out of a maximum 12 points.
While Verstappen bears the brunt of the backlash, scrutiny has increasingly shifted toward Red Bull Racing’s strategic blunders. Many commentators argue that Verstappen was set up for failure by poor team decisions, especially in the final laps. One such misstep was the controversial order from engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, instructing Verstappen to relinquish position to Russell—a move that triggered widespread debate over team directives and rule interpretation. Though the FIA ultimately reaffirmed Verstappen’s rule breach, critics contend the team’s instructions only exacerbated the situation.
The core of the criticism, however, lies with Red Bull’s puzzling tyre strategy. After a safety car period, the team made the contentious call to place Verstappen on hard tyres, a decision many now describe as the fatal turning point. The hard compounds lacked the necessary grip in the closing stages, hampering Verstappen’s ability to defend his position and directly contributing to the confrontation with Russell. It was a gamble that turned catastrophic, fueling the chorus of disapproval.
Among the harshest critics was Guenther Steiner, the forthright former Haas team principal and cult figure from Drive to Survive. Speaking on the “Red Flags” podcast, Steiner lambasted Red Bull’s strategy and awarded the team his infamous “W***ers of the Week” label—a dishonor reserved for those he deems the most disappointing. Though initially torn between blaming Verstappen or the FIA, Steiner concluded that Red Bull’s tyre call was the true calamity, highlighting how a single miscalculation unraveled an otherwise solid race.
As Verstappen teeters on the edge of suspension, with his next penalty point triggering a mandatory race ban, the intensity surrounding him only grows. Until June 30, when some of his penalty points expire, he must maintain absolute composure and precision on track. With Formula 1 entering a critical phase of the season, Verstappen’s every move will be scrutinized—not just for his racing prowess, but for his discipline under escalating pressure.
