Max Verstappen admits "frustration" led to move that shouldn't have happened.

With time to cool down, the four-time world champion took to social media to accept responsibility for the move that sees him on the brink of a race ban.

"We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out," he posted on Instagram.

"Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my frustration," he added, "leading to a move that was not right and shouldn't have happened.

"I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high," he admitted. "You win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal."

The incident somewhat soured an entertaining race and while most drivers condemned it, fans appear divided.

As he admits, the strategy was looking good until the Safety Car, at which point his team opted to pit him for the hards which had proved notorious on Friday and were subsequently widely shunned.

As the Safety Car was withdrawn the Red Bull driver did well to control his car as he exited the final corner, but was unable to hold off Charles Leclerc as they headed down the pit straight in an incident that was subsequently investigated, but cleared, by the stewards.

However, when George Russell made a move in Turn 1, causing Verstappen to use the escape road, rejoining just ahead of the Mercedes, his team ordered Verstappen to hand the position back.

Though in total disagreement with the decision - which was subsequently proved wrong - Dutchman subsequently slowed only to move into the passing Mercedes in a move which ended in demotion to tenth place and three penalty points which dictate that Verstappen must keep out of trouble until at last the end of this month.

Ironically, Russell believes that had the incident not happened Verstappen might still have passed both he and Charles Leclerc as their tyres were degrading badly.

Nonetheless, full credit to Max for taking responsibility.

Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ffracer, 08/06/2025 13:43

"This admission is stellar for me. Max's stock has skyrocketed for my kids, in karting, and I, still 'toiling' in club racing lol. I was an impressionable teenager extolling the virtues and racing ethos of Gilles Villeneuve. In hindsight, I started racing cars when some of the greatest moments and 'sportsmen', driving some of the greatest cars - like the McLaren MP4/4 up to MP4/8 or the Jordan 191 to the 2006 Ferrari committed heinous acts, won races and championships... and got away with murder. I need to say this: during countless drivers' meetings, these heinous acts were brought up and discussed because my competitors applauded this behavior and tried to implement these tactics in club racing and pro racing. I was disgusted and resorted to taking a extended wrench to one guy when he tried to pull an 'FIA approved Australia 1994 hipcheck' on me with his destroyed racecar... everyone saw it and it was reported. Unlike the outcome of the 1994 Australian F1 race, that accepted this blatant move and won a championship, the 'thug' in my racing incident lost his racing license. I absolutely love close racing - Dijon '79 is material for Racing God canonization for me - and have vowed to take a sledgehammer to my kids' karts if they ever condoned cheating or tried to hurt a fellow competitor ( I would never touch them and list
it all for sale, too expensive to destroy lol).

It is ill to speak of the dead or individuals that are unable to defend themselves but Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher had committed acts during their entire careers, with some heinous acts resulting in securing WDC and their teams profited from winning WCC... and poisoning racing in lower levels of world motorsport for decades because the FIA remained silent. Violent crashes have killed drivers and some innocent marshals and spectators. Crashing cars like Japan '90 or Australia 94 should never have been accepted, ultimately encouraged, because it leads other impressionable young drivers and fans by example. Please, don't even get me started with the deplorable incidents that took out Martin Brundle from the brutal '83 F3 championship because it affected lower levels of motorsport worldwide... I know, I suffered the wrath of a few idiots.

Unlike other World champions who had every opportunity and didn't, Max Verstappen, a new father and step father, understands the mega responsibility of leadership and leading by example to apologize for his actions and I applaud him for being the better person for this. My kids, who adore him for his incredible talent, know that what he did in Spain is unacceptable, they made a point to discuss it at dinner because they were troubled with it all and love him for the transparency. The FIA remained silent for all the dangerous driving that took place in Spain but Max Verstappen, leading by example as a true World champion, has provided clarity for his part while others have not. Bravo, Max. Father to father, grateful competitor to competitor, I cannot thank you enough. "

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2. Posted by kenji, 05/06/2025 1:31

"Russell is not the 'innocent' some people would have you believe. Is Verstappen being played here?"

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3. Posted by Pavlo, 03/06/2025 10:08

"I hope Max learns not to play steward next time. I agree with Max that George broke the rules in T1, but proper action is to report it to stewards and get George penalized... or not.
But trying to punish on his own is childish and wrong, this should be and luckily was penalized.
Glad that he admitted."

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4. Posted by BillH, 02/06/2025 20:23

"I haven't been following the "social" media side of things so do not know the full story from the driver.

In terms of taking responsibility though, what is missing is the "leading to a move that was not right and should not have happened..., I apologise to the other driver I drove into and will do everything I can to make sure that my behaviour improves and this does not happen again.""

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5. Posted by Mad Matt, 02/06/2025 17:18

"As far as I can see from the data trace on another web site it's clear Max accelerated hard beofre hitting George. I've seen that heavily penalised in lower categories, yes he was frustrated but you can't let people in charge of cars drive like that... which is why it's usually heaviliy penalised.

This isn't about Max, I would feel the same for any other driver.... and while Max isn't one of my favourites I don't think anyone can deny that he's an extremely talented driver."

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6. Posted by Spindoctor, 02/06/2025 16:37

"Let's face it he ultimately had no option but to 'own up'. Ignoring the clash with Leclerc, his attack on Russel was obviously deliberate and ugly. *NOT* owning up would have made things even worse."

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"It shouldn't have happened," admits Verstappen

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