Here's my opinion on the controversy at the end of the Spanish Grand Prix involving Max Verstappen...
Verstappen/Leclerc contact: Charles moved across onto Max's line (causing contact), but Charles was entitled to because; a) he was clearly ahead, and b) he left Max space. Charles therefore did not have to give the position back, so Max was incorrect in his radio messages to his team.
Verstappen/Russell turn 1 contact: George hit Max and because George was not in control of his car, George was at fault, therefore Max did not have to give the place back.
Max's response to Leclerc contact: When Max said Charles had to give him the place back, the stewards correctly disagreed. Charles was ahead and although he moved over, he still left Max plenty of space between the edge of the track.
Max's response to Russell contact: Max was understandably angry at his team for telling him to let George pass, because George was the one at fault (Max was ahead when George hit him), so there was no need to switch positions (as later confirmed by the stewards). However, if Max disagreed with the instruction, he should have made his case to his team, then ignored the instruction, rather than slide into the side of George when he was letting him past.
By sliding into George, Max has cost himself 9 points which could prove costly at the end of the season. His anger should have directed at his own team, rather than at George.
Virtually every race has a controversial decision from the stewards which divides opinion, so a formula 1 driver will inevitably feel angry at times. However, when a decision (or team advice) goes against you, you need to control your anger, rather than let your anger control you. Max is clearly an exceptionally brilliant driver, but arguably the one chink in his armor is his composure.
Verstappen/Leclerc contact: Charles moved across onto Max's line (causing contact), but Charles was entitled to because; a) he was clearly ahead, and b) he left Max space. Charles therefore did not have to give the position back, so Max was incorrect in his radio messages to his team.
Verstappen/Russell turn 1 contact: George hit Max and because George was not in control of his car, George was at fault, therefore Max did not have to give the place back.
Max's response to Leclerc contact: When Max said Charles had to give him the place back, the stewards correctly disagreed. Charles was ahead and although he moved over, he still left Max plenty of space between the edge of the track.
Max's response to Russell contact: Max was understandably angry at his team for telling him to let George pass, because George was the one at fault (Max was ahead when George hit him), so there was no need to switch positions (as later confirmed by the stewards). However, if Max disagreed with the instruction, he should have made his case to his team, then ignored the instruction, rather than slide into the side of George when he was letting him past.
By sliding into George, Max has cost himself 9 points which could prove costly at the end of the season. His anger should have directed at his own team, rather than at George.
Virtually every race has a controversial decision from the stewards which divides opinion, so a formula 1 driver will inevitably feel angry at times. However, when a decision (or team advice) goes against you, you need to control your anger, rather than let your anger control you. Max is clearly an exceptionally brilliant driver, but arguably the one chink in his armor is his composure.
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