Derek Warwick defends Max Verstappen’s actions in Spain, rejecting comparisons with Vettel’s infamous 2017 clash with Hamilton in Baku.
Derek Warwick is uncertain whether Max Verstappen should have been penalized more than he was following his outburst against George Russell. According to the former driver, the stewards are not in a position to clearly determine whether the Red Bull driver’s steering movement was intentional.
Yet the four-time world champion himself admitted it, explaining that it was a moment of frustration and that he had let himself go with this foolish and dangerous maneuver. But for the former driver who also serves as a steward, the act should be condemned without calling for further sanctions.
“I understand why Max got angry, because I think he felt wronged by Charles on the straight and I think he felt wronged by George. The team then asked him to give the position back, which he didn’t think he should do, and that’s what led to the collision,” said Warwick.
“I think everyone needs to realize that when you are a racing driver and you’re used to winning like Max, it’s very difficult when things start going against you in a race that, on paper, with three stops, looks winnable, and we all know he’s a winner.”
“Should he have done what he did in Turn 5 with George Russell? Absolutely not. Did he get a penalty for it? Yes. He received ten seconds and three points, which puts him just one point away from a race ban,” continued Warwick, who rejects, despite Verstappen’s admission, the comparison with Sebastian Vettel’s deliberate move in 2017.
“So people claim that Vettel received a ten-second penalty in Baku with Lewis Hamilton. But he intentionally drove into Lewis, whereas if you watch the video, it seems to me that even though Max dived in, he then pulled away from George, but the momentum carried him into George.”
“I don’t approve of it. I’m not saying it’s right. I’m not saying it’s right. It’s absolutely wrong, and the FIA rightly gave him a penalty. Should it have been harsher? I think they did the right thing, actually.”
“I think a lot of people would say he should have been banned to set an example for young drivers, and they’re probably right, but I think the penalty was fair. Each incident needs to be examined individually. I think it was very debatable. It’s not what I like to see.”