Sources: 
The controversy surrounding Max Verstappen's collision with George Russell has sparked intense debate over appropriate penalties in Formula 1. After Russell overtook Verstappen at turn five, Verstappen suddenly accelerated and collided with Russell, an action the stewards confirmed was caused by Verstappen.
"The collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions of car one," the stewards stated, highlighting the unusual nature of the maneuver.
Critics argue that Verstappen's move was deliberate, a tactic rarely seen in Formula 1 but common in simracing and go-karts. One commentator remarked,
"It felt very deliberate. It is something I have seen numerous times in simracing and go-karts. I have never seen it in a Formula 1 race."The debate centers on whether Verstappen should face a black flag or a race ban, as deliberately crashing into another driver is considered a severe breach of racing conduct. This differs significantly from collisions caused by aggressive driving or defensive errors.
"Deliberately crashing into a driver (or indeed into the wall in order to impact the race) should be a black flag and/or a race ban," advocates argue, emphasizing the need for strict penalties to maintain safety and fairness.
Verstappen's dilemma earlier in the race, where he risked a penalty for leaving the track but chose to stay ahead of Russell, adds complexity to the incident. The stewards' acknowledgment of the strangeness of his maneuver underscores the controversy.
As the debate intensifies, the Formula 1 community awaits a decisive ruling that could set a precedent for handling deliberate collisions in the sport.
Sources: The debate over Max Verstappen's deliberate crash intensifies after a controversial collision with George Russell. Stewards noted Verstappen caused the crash by accelerating into Russell after losing position. Critics argue for harsher penalties, including a black flag or race ban, citing the incident as unprecedented in Formula 1.
