" The Dutch driver, who has won the World Championship four times, received a 10-second penalty from the race stewards for causing the collision with Russell with just two laps remaining.

Following the race, Russell accused Verstappen of deliberately causing the incident and even suggested that his rival should have been disqualified. Verstappen, on the other hand, initially refused to accept blame for the incident and sarcastically offered Russell a tissue when informed of the Briton's criticisms.

However, Verstappen took to social media on Monday to reflect on the outcome. He acknowledged that their strategy and race performance in Barcelona were promising until the safety car's appearance altered the dynamics. He admitted that his frustration after the safety car restart led him to make a move that was inappropriate. "I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you [at the next race] in Montreal," Verstappen wrote.

The flashpoint occurred when Verstappen, on the slower hard tyre compound, lost third place to Charles Leclerc following a mistake on the exit of the final corner during a six-lap sprint after the safety car period. Russell saw an opportunity and tried to pass Verstappen's Red Bull at the first corner. Verstappen took to the escape road, keeping his position ahead of Russell.

Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, then instructed him to let Russell through. "What? I was ahead, mate," an incredulous Verstappen responded. He then slowed down at turn five to allow Russell to pass, but subsequently accelerated and collided with the Mercedes. "What the fuck?" Russell exclaimed over the radio. Verstappen ultimately let Russell by and finished the race in fifth place, before his penalty relegated him to 10th position.

This incident has added another chapter to Verstappen's controversial career, which has previously seen run-ins with significant drivers like Lando Norris and multiple clashes with Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, speculated to be interested in bringing Verstappen to Mercedes, commented on the incident. "I don't know exactly what the motivations were and I don't want to jump on it and say it was road rage, but it wasn't nice," Wolff said.

Wolff also reflected on the pressures faced by great athletes, suggesting that their drive to perform sometimes clouds their perception. "The great ones, whether it's in motor racing or in other sports, sometimes feel like the world is against them. But often, it's just a case of them making a mistake or screwing up," he commented.

The events in Barcelona leave Verstappen with three penalty points on his license, bringing him perilously close to a race ban. He now trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 49 points as the season progresses to its next race in Montreal.