Back to news
'I’ll bring some tissues next time' - Verstappen and Russell snipe at each other over collision
@Source: the42.ie
Advertisement
League of Ireland
Horse Racing
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
Rugby Weekly Extra
Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week
The Football Family
Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points
Advertisement
More Stories
George Russell and Max Verstappen in action at the Spanish Grand Prix.Alamy Stock Photo
'I’ll bring some tissues next time' - Verstappen and Russell snipe at each other over collision
George Russell felt Max Verstappen should have been disqualified following a collision at the Spanish Grand Prix.
11.22pm, 1 Jun 2025
Share options
GEORGE RUSSELL SUGGESTED Max Verstappen should have been disqualified for causing a deliberate and unnecessary crash in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix – with the latter then offering his upset British rival a tissue.
A processional race at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya – which was won by Oscar Piastri as he extended his championship advantage over second-placed Lando Norris from three points to 10 – came alive on lap 64 of 66 when a furious Verstappen and Russell came to blows.
Following a safety-car restart, Verstappen fell off the road as he attempted to defend fourth position from Russell.
He rejoined ahead of the Mercedes driver but was advised by his Red Bull team to concede the position.
Verstappen slowed down at Turn 5 to allow Russell past, but then accelerated and drove into his rival’s Mercedes.
Drama in the closing stages of the race! 😱
Max Verstappen drops to P10 following a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with George Russell #F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/anhkyJ92pk— Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025
Advertisement
“What the f***”?” Russell said on the radio. Verstappen later moved out of Russell’s way, and crossed the line in fifth. However, he was hit with a 10-second penalty by the stewards – demoting him to 10th – and also punished with three penalty points on his licence which leaves him just one point away from a race ban.
In commentary for Sky Sports, Nico Rosberg said Verstappen’s sanction was too lenient and that he should have been shown a black flag – an immediate disqualification.
And when the 2016 world champion’s claim was put to Russell, the Englishman replied: “If it was truly deliberate then absolutely, because you cannot deliberately crash into another driver.
“We are putting our lives on the line. We are fortunate the cars are as safe as they are these days but we shouldn’t take it for granted.
“It felt very deliberate. It is something I have seen numerous times in sim racing and go-karts. I have never seen it in a Formula One race. It felt strange, bizarre and I really don’t know what was going through his mind.
“It is a shame because Max is one of the best drivers in the world but manoeuvres like that are totally unnecessary. It lets him down, and it is a shame for all of the young kids looking up to us, aspiring to be Formula One drivers.”
Responding to Russell’s criticism, Verstappen said: “Well, I’ll bring some tissues next time.as
“He has his view, I have my view. It’s better not to comment. In life you shouldn’t regret too many things. (I have) no regrets.”
Verstappen had just lost third place to Charles Leclerc after he opened the door to the Ferrari driver when he made a mistake on the exit of the final corner in a six-lap shootout to the flag following the deployment of a safety car.
Russell then attempted to sling his Mercedes underneath Verstappen’s Red Bull at the first corner before the Dutchman took to the escape road and remained ahead of the Briton.
“Max, can you let Russell through, please?” said Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase.
“What? I was ahead, mate. What the f***! He just ran me off the road.”
Explaining their decision to hit Verstappen with a 10-second penalty – which leaves him a distant 49 points adrift of Piastri in the championship – the stewards said: “From the radio communications, it was clear that the driver of Car 1 (Verstappen) was asked by his team to ‘give the position back’ to Car 63 (Russell) for what they perceived to be an earlier breach by Car 1 for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage (in fact, we had later determined that we would take no further action in relation to that incident).
“The driver of Car 1 was clearly unhappy with his team’s request to give the position back. At the approach to Turn 5, Car 1 significantly reduced its speed thereby appearing to allow Car 63 to overtake.
“However, after Car 63 got ahead of Car 1 at the entry of Turn 5, Car 1 suddenly accelerated and collided with Car 63. The collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions of Car 1.”
Press Association
Viewcomments
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “'I’ll bring some tissues next time' - Verstappen and Russell snipe at each other over collision”.
Recipient's Email
Feedback on “'I’ll bring some tissues next time' - Verstappen and Russell snipe at each other over collision”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment...
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech
An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic
An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language
Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Please provide additional information
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
Leave a commentcancel
Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user
View our policy
⚠️ Duplicate comment
Post Comment
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
George Russell
Max Verstappen
Spanish Grand Prix
News in 60 seconds
FreeStill On Top
Scottie Scheffler defends Memorial title as Lowry endures difficult final round
51 mins ago
FreeOn The Track
Fourth for Coscoran in 3000m while Mawdsley takes seventh in 200m in Philadelphia
Alcaraz battles his way into French Open quarter-finals as Swiatek rallies to progress
FreeRound-Up
Here is the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final draw following today's action
Young woman participating in Cork City Marathon passes away
All-Ireland SFC
Monaghan take full advantage of two-pointers to ease past Clare
Clare power into All-Ireland minor semi-finals with strong finish as Waterford also advance
Young woman participating in Cork City Marathon passes away
'There's no way of getting into the psychology of it' - Mayo manager Stephen Rochford
FreeRound-Up
Here is the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final draw following today's action
On the Move
Caoimhin Kelleher set to leave Liverpool for Brentford in €21m deal - reports
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online
Sign in or create
a free account
To continue reading create a free account
Or sign into an existing account
Related News
15 Apr, 2025
White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood breaks d . . .
05 Jun, 2025
Bengaluru Stampede: Karnataka HC Asks Po . . .
21 Mar, 2025
Арестуваха четирима с над 11 кг марихуан . . .
23 Mar, 2025
Ruth Langsford ‘discovery’ that caused h . . .
15 Mar, 2025
'Not picking players on form' - England . . .
08 Mar, 2025
Defensive mix up helps Toulouse draw wit . . .
11 Feb, 2025
LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE INDEX
19 Feb, 2025
Bayern Munich 1 Celtic 1 (3-2 on agg): S . . .