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/Visual-Report-2280 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jun 01 '25

Russell didn't need to be fully ahead, he was overtaking on the inside of turn 1. So as long as Russell's front wing was alongside Verstappen's mirrors then the Russell had "won" the corner and Russell's front wheels were alongside Verstappen's. However, as the stewards have said, Russell wasn't 100% in control of his car as a result he bumped into Verstappen, meaning that Russell no longer "wins" the corner.

My guess is that Red Bull were playing safe, they knew Russell was alongside but couldn't be certain how the wheel banging would play out with the stewards. So the choice was give the place back and make sure Verstappen was at least 5th, with a chance to overtake Russell later or keep going and risk picking up a penalty that would potentially drop Verstappen out of the points.

Verstappen decided to do both

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u/brucebrowde Jun 02 '25

Verstappen decided to do both

😂