1
Max Verstappen's Spanish Grand Prix couldn't have gone much more different from the event last year where he claimed his first ever win in Formula 1. This time, the Dutchman failed to get by turn 2.
Himself and the two Finn's on the grid, Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas all went into turn 1 side by side. Bottas hit Raikkonen which meant Raikkonen then hit the Red Bull driver. The contact resulted in Verstappen and Raikkonen retiring while Bottas continued (he would later retire due to an engine failure).
Analysis: Verstappen Has Become More Vulnerable Under the 2026 Rules
Windsor Predicts Verstappen Will Leave F1: "The Rules Have Reduced Him to an Ordinary Driver"
Describing the accident from his point of view, the 19-year-old didn;t pin a blame on anyone, stating that incidents like this are an inevitable part of racing.
"I think you could clearly see what happened. Valtteri [Bottas] hit Kimi [Raikkonen] and then it was quite difficult for Kimi to control the car and then he slammed into me. Three cars is normally doable, but it's definitely tight in that corner. If nobody had touched, we all would have given each other space for the next corner but unfortunately, we didn't arrive to turn 2.
"It's a bit unfortunate, of course you know when you're on the outside it's always a bit tricky. I was giving enough space and suddenly I saw the Ferrari slamming into me. Unfortunatley that's a part of racing. Sometimes you have luck like I did last year but this year I was just a bit unlucky."
Verstappen will be hoping to bounce back in Monaco next time out where he will be looking to turn around the record of DNF's he has around the rich streets.
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
I. Hadjar
A. Antonelli
C. Leclerc
982 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (1)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
What could have been! Probably not another win but...