A safety car was called after Kimi Antonelli parked in a gravel trap following an electric unit problem. While Verstappen was equipped with hard tires for restarting, those surrounding it had softs – and therefore the Dutch was immediately disadvantaged.
It was located third behind the two McLarens but lost a place against Leclerc along the straight line, with the two typing wheels in an incident that the commissioners decided did not require any other action. Russell then plunged inside into turn 1, contacting Verstappen who sent Red Bull’s driver on the escape road.
Read more: “I just crushed! – Russell and Verstappen offer verdicts on a dramatic collision in Spain
While he emerged in front of Russell, the team ordered him to return the place – and it was at the moment that the second contact was established. The stewards decided that Verstappen was to blame, giving him a penalty of 10 seconds and these three penalty points on his super license.
Writing on Instagram after the race, Verstappen said: “We had an exciting strategy and a good race in Barcelona, ​​(until) the safety car was out. Our choice of tires at the end and certain movements after restarting (of the safety car) fueled my frustration, which led to a movement which was not correct and which should not have occurred.
“I always give everything there for the team and emotions can be raised. You win it together, you lose it together. See you soon in Montreal. “
