Former Boss Credits Russell Collision for Making Verstappen 'Better'

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has pinpointed Max Verstappen's controversial collision with George Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix as the pivotal moment that transformed the Red Bull driver into a more mature and clinical competitor, ultimately strengthening his championship challenge.

Why it matters:

In a season where Verstappen ultimately lost the title to Lando Norris by just two points, every on-track incident carried immense weight. Steiner's analysis suggests that a single moment of frustration and its consequences provided the crucial lesson Verstappen needed to refine his approach, highlighting how elite drivers evolve by learning from their mistakes under extreme pressure.

The details:

Speaking on the Red Flag podcast, Steiner dissected the Barcelona incident where Verstappen, frustrated during the race, collided with Mercedes' George Russell. The crash resulted in a penalty and a finish outside the points.

• Steiner framed the costly DNF as a necessary "investment" for the later part of the season. He argued that the points loss in Spain prevented greater losses down the line by forcing a change in behavior.
• The former principal stated the moment made Verstappen acutely aware that he "cannot do these things anymore because he loses too many points," marking a clear before-and-after in his campaign.
• He described it as a classic learning experience, noting that after Barcelona, Verstappen "never did anything foolish again." This newfound discipline, according to Steiner, was key to his strong finish in the tight title fight.

The big picture:

Steiner's comments go beyond race analysis, touching on the psychological development of a quadruple world champion. He described Verstappen post-Spain as "an even better Max Verstappen" and suggested the driver had visibly matured. The implication is that Verstappen's raw speed was never in question, but his ability to manage risk and emotion in a tight championship battle reached a new level following this setback. A more clinical and calculated version of the Dutch driver, as Steiner put it, becomes a "terrifying" prospect for rivals.

What's next:

While the 2025 season is concluded, the lessons from Barcelona will likely carry forward. For Verstappen, the narrow defeat to Norris will fuel motivation for 2026. The key takeaway for his campaign will be balancing his characteristically aggressive racecraft with the strategic patience required in a season-long duel. If he can maintain the disciplined approach Steiner observed, he will remain the benchmark that every other driver and team must overcome.