Max Vestepen admitted on Monday that his controversial collision with George Russell in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix was “not right and it should not have happened.”
The four -time defending formula 1 champion Verustapane stopped apologizing for the incident that earned him a fine of 10 seconds and left him 10th in Barcelona.
Late in the race, Verustapane initially objected to the order of his Red Bull Racing Team, so that Mercedes Russell could be swapped to positions after the tire change. After allowing Russell to pass, Vastapane caused the heading and collision in a turn.
Race Stuvers said Vastapane was completely at mistake, punished him 10 seconds and added three penalty points to his super license. The 27-year-old Dutch driver now has 11 points, which is permissible in a 12-month period before warning an automatic one-half suspension.
Russell agreed with Steovers’ decision, Vastapane’s move was called “very deliberately”.
Russell told reporters to the post-race, “This is something I have seen many times in sim racing and ereking. I have never seen it in the race for Formula 1.”
Vestepen, who crossed the fifth finish line before receiving the penalty, released his comment on Instagram on Monday.
He wrote, “After the restart of the security car, some tricks increase my frustration, which leads to a step that was not right and it should not have happened,” he wrote. “I always give everything there for the team and emotions can walk high. You win something together, you lose something together. Montreal (next race) meet.”
Oscar Piastry won the Sunday race with McLaren team fellow Lando Noris and Ferrari’s Charles Lakeler finished third.
-Bield level media
