Ex-F1 Steward Demands Max Verstappen’s Immediate Disqualification

Max Verstappen and George Russell collided in the closing laps of the Spanish Grand Prix, sparking one of the most debated incidents of the Formula 1 season. The clash unfolded after a late safety car period.

Russell, representing Mercedes, launched an overtake attempt on Verstappen’s Red Bull into Turn 1. Verstappen ran wide as a result.

Red Bull responded over the radio, instructing Verstappen to yield his position to Russell to avoid a potential time penalty. The move did not sit well with Verstappen, who voiced his anger to his race engineer but appeared to comply moments before coming together with Russell on track.

After investigating, the race stewards decided Verstappen had not gained a lasting advantage by leaving the track. However, the officials later handed Verstappen a 10-second penalty for the contact itself, which pushed him down from fourth to tenth at the finish line.

Yet Johnny Herbert, a former Formula 1 steward, spoke out saying the penalty did not go far enough. Herbert argued that Verstappen should have been shown the black flag and disqualified from the race for what he called a deliberate move.

According to Herbert, repeated incidents like this require stronger actions from officials to discourage aggressive driving. Disqualifications in Formula 1 are rare, but precedents exist.

Michael Schumacher was famously excluded from the championship in 1997 after colliding purposefully with Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez. Herbert pointed out that Verstappen, despite being widely regarded as a top-tier driver with outstanding racecraft, often finds himself at the center of racing controversies.

He suggested that Verstappen’s decision to hit Russell at the right-hand corner, and then try to retake the position, crossed the line of fair competition. Russell’s failed overtaking move at Turn 1 initially drew criticism, but the aftermath quickly shifted attention to Verstappen’s response.

Red Bull had misled Verstappen with their instruction, believing he would otherwise receive a time penalty for the earlier incident. Commentator Nico Rosberg also stated that Verstappen’s actions deserved a black flag and accused him of ramming Russell out of frustration with the team’s call.

This sentiment mirrored Herbert’s view that the FIA and race director should act decisively to discourage intentional wheel-to-wheel contact. The clash has fueled debate across the paddock, with concerns that allowing such incidents to pass with minor penalties could embolden drivers to take more risks.

Herbert said the sport must value clean and hard racing, and suggested that failing to implement stricter penalties would treat dangerous collisions like any standard racing mishap. He questioned why a driver with Verstappen’s history of brilliant overtaking, such as his bold move on Oscar Piastri at Imola, would resort to unnecessary aggression when his natural talent is enough to fight for positions.

As discussions continue, the spotlight remains on Verstappen’s driving style and the consistency of stewarding decisions. Race fans and analysts are eager to see if future incidents will prompt more severe consequences or if the current system will persist.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton all feature high in the current standings, while Red Bull lags after recent penalties. The next Grand Prix will offer another test for all drivers—and for Formula 1’s approach to on-track discipline.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.