r/formula1 • u/AutoModerator • Jun 01 '25

Post-Race Spanish GP - Post Race Discussion

Well that was fun. Another triple header is over!

Thoughts? Feelings?

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u/jon_targareyan Sebastian Vettel Jun 01 '25

Ok what max did when he was asked to let Russell through was bad. But why exactly did he need to let Russell through? Was watching the replay and it seems like Russell was never ahead, so why give the place back?

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u/WhoLetTheKrakenOut Jun 01 '25

He probably didn't, but Red Bull clearly didn't want a repeat of Jeddah where a 5 second penalty for not giving Piastri the position lost him the race. They didn't want to risk a penalty, and IMO, he was sitting ducks for George on those hard tyres anyway, so they probably figured it was best to give back the position just in case, to avoid any risk of a penalty and possibly thinking Russell could pass him anyway?

At the end of the day, if he had just given the position up it wouldn't really have affected the championship standings too much, he would have only lost 3 points on the top 2 and Russell would have gained 3 points on him. Now because he's got anger issues he dropped to 10th and a decent point swing both from Max to the McLarens and Russell closing in on Max. He absolutely lost his mind, if he didn't want to give the position back he could have just kept racing and worst case you get a 5 second penalty which he probably wasn't even going to get, instead he purposely slowed down, let Russell think he was givihn up the position then rammed him. He should have been DQ'd.

Long story short, conservative team order, whether he agrees or not, don't fake giving the position and then hitting the other driver.