Martin Brundle Calls for Harsher Penalty on Max Verstappen After Spanish GP Clash
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle has sparked controversy with his bold stance on Max Verstappen’s penalty following a dramatic incident at the Spanish Grand Prix. Brundle argued that the four-time world champion should have received the maximum four penalty points for his collision with George Russell, rather than the three points and 10-second time penalty handed down by the stewards.
The incident occurred at Turn 5 in Barcelona, where Verstappen and Russell tangled, leading to a heated debate over culpability. Verstappen was instructed to give the position back to Russell, which Brundle noted appeared to be in progress. However, the Red Bull driver’s actions were deemed reckless by the stewards, resulting in a penalty that dropped him to 10th place and widened his championship deficit to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri to 49 points. Verstappen now sits just one penalty point shy of a race ban, which would be triggered at 12 points within a 12-month period.
Speaking on Sky F1’s coverage, Brundle expressed disbelief at the leniency of the punishment. “I would have given him the full four penalty points,” he said. “A drive-through penalty would have been more fitting than a 10-second time penalty. The stewards were lenient here.” While Brundle dismissed calls for a black flag as excessive, he maintained that Verstappen’s driving warranted a stronger reprimand to deter future incidents.
The comments have divided fans and pundits. Some, like X user @FerretGee, accused Brundle of bias against Verstappen, tweeting, “Martin Brundle’s anti-Max bias on show for all to see. ‘I would have given him the full four penalty points.’ Of course you would.” Others, however, supported Brundle’s perspective, citing Verstappen’s aggressive driving style as a recurring issue.
Verstappen, who rebounded with a strong start in the Canadian Grand Prix, has not publicly responded to Brundle’s remarks. However, the Dutchman’s penalty point tally remains a looming threat as the 2025 season intensifies. With the championship battle heating up, all eyes will be on Verstappen’s next moves—and whether the stewards take a harder line in future incidents.
