The Spanish Grand Prix 2025: How Many More Times Does F1 Get It Wrong? (An F1 Fan’s Rant)

Same Old Song, Different Stage

It’s the first Sunday of June, and you’d think after all these years of Formula 1 drama, the racing would finally speak for itself. But here we are: another Spanish Grand Prix, another Max Verstappen penalty, and another round of political posturing from F1’s usual suspects. For anyone just tuning in or new to F1, let’s get something clear: the sport is as much about what happens off the track as on it. If you don’t believe it, you didn’t watch today.

I’m writing this as your average Dutch guy, a regular fan who just wants to see Dutch greatness—on the football field, on the track, wherever—get its fair shake. But it never happens, does it? At least, not when Max Verstappen is involved. This isn’t just about one race. This is about the relentless, almost institutional bias that plagues F1. And today in Barcelona, that ugly side was on full display.

What Really Happened: The Original Broadcast, Red Bull's Engineer's Call, and the Engineer Blunder

For anyone who missed the original TV broadcast, here’s how the madness unraveled lap by lap. In the last crucial rounds, Red Bull’s long-time engineer calls Verstappen in for tires—surprisingly, they slap on the white hard compound instead of the softs. Everyone at home is scratching their heads. You want to push for first or second, you need grip, not longevity. Still, Max storms out with that signature fire, aiming for a last push to the podium.

But that’s exactly when the chaos begins.

First, Charles Leclerc—Ferrari’s golden boy—gets in Max’s way. In a moment caught clearly on the world feed (being thoroughly reviewed at the end of the race by this English guy, , Leclerc swerves, sideswipes, and later openly admits to nudging Max left into the dirt. No hiding it, no “racing incident” smoke screen; just a blatant, confessed move. And what do the stewards do?

Absolutely NOTHING! Move along, nothing to see here!

Then, as if scripted for maximum frustration, George Russell pulls another one of his late-race dramas, tangling with Verstappen in a move that had “controversy” written all over it. Yet again, no penalty for Russell.

But here’s the real bombshell, breaking just as I write this: the FIA never told Red Bull to give Russell the place back after the incident. Yet Max’s own engineer—one of the few team members he’s always trusted—told him to do exactly that, even though it wasn’t required by the rules. Verstappen, true to his character, questioned it immediately (“Why should I?”), but the damage was done. The confusion and frustration that boiled over in those last laps? That came not from a rival, but from the team itself.

If you’re Verstappen, what do you even do at that point? The whole world seems to be against you: the stewards, your rivals, and now—even your own garage. No wonder his fuse burned short. Honestly, if he walked out of Red Bull tonight and headed to Maranello, not a single fair-minded fan would blame him. Sometimes, loyalty just isn’t worth the pain.

Charles Leclerc: The Teflon Driver at Ferrari

Let’s get something straight about Charles Leclerc: he’s not some plucky underdog anymore. He’s Ferrari’s golden boy, the face of their future. Since joining the team in 2019, Leclerc has mixed undeniable pace and gutsy racecraft with a kind of protection from above that most drivers only dream of.

Look at Spain: Leclerc, after battling Verstappen, tells the cameras, “I put Max a little to the left.” It’s crystal clear—he knew what he was doing. And yet, no investigation, no penalty. If you’re wondering if this is just Ferrari luck, you haven’t been watching the sport. Ferrari is the sport’s most powerful team, with a veto over regulations and a historic pull with the FIA and the media. Their drivers get the benefit of every doubt.

And this is not the first time Leclerc’s gotten a free pass. He’s a great driver—no one disputes that—but the stewards’ selective blindness when it comes to the Scuderia has become an open secret. If Max had done the same thing? You know the answer: penalty, license points, and a week of British tabloid outrage.

For Max, it’s not just another unfair fight—it’s a sign that the playing field in F1 remains, as ever, tilted.

The British Media Machine and Their Obsession With Max

Let’s be real: the British media love to poke the bear. They chase the reaction. They keep poking at Verstappen, hoping he’ll snap. Today, it’s obvious that the pressure isn’t just coming from the teams or the officials, but from the cameras, the microphones, and those loaded questions that always, somehow, find a way to paint Max as the villain.

And when he finally does react—he’s called emotional, hot-headed, unsportsmanlike. Forget the fact that Lewis Hamilton, the great British hope, did the same (or worse) a dozen times and got a slap on the wrist at most. The narrative is written before the lights even go out on Sunday.

Remember 2022, when Max finally told the British media he wasn’t talking to them anymore? The outrage! How dare a driver not play along with their story? Yet, when he does play along—when he faces the cameras and answers the questions—the narrative still never changes. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Red Bull Meltdown: Trouble In Paradise

Now, let’s turn the spotlight on Red Bull itself. When Christian Horner isn’t fighting off scandals (remember that “inappropriate conduct” nonsense?), he’s busy running a team that looks increasingly disjointed. Red Bull’s “second team,” RB, is now biting at the heels of the main squad. Coordination is out the window; drivers are getting in each other’s way; rumors are swirling that the Verstappen camp is already talking to Ferrari.

And now, after Spain, Max’s own engineer has cost him dearly with a simple, avoidable mistake. When your most trusted ally in the garage gets it wrong, and the higher-ups won’t protect you from outside forces, you have to ask: why stay?

It’s no wonder Max is frustrated. Red Bull gave him everything—a dominant car, a team built around his talent. But loyalty only goes so far when it’s clear you’re surrounded by enemies, inside and out. Ferrari’s historic pull, their marketing machine, their global fanbase—it’s tempting, isn’t it? Especially when Red Bull can’t even keep their own house in order.

The Politics of the Paddock: More Than Just Racing

Let’s not forget Toto Wolff and Mercedes, always the puppet-masters in the background. When they can’t win on track, they go to war in the press room and the stewards’ office. From Horner’s tabloid troubles to Red Bull’s supposed favoritism, to Russell’s constant agitating—there’s always someone with an agenda. And then there’s Zak Brown at McLaren, playing the American wildcard, outspending the competition and crowing when it pays off.

Last season, McLaren won the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. This year, they’re favorites again. Is it just good racing, or is it the endless politicking, the “unseen hand” guiding the results? If you think F1 isn’t rigged by interests, you haven’t been watching closely.

Max Verstappen: The Simple Dutch Guy Against The World

Here’s the thing: Max Verstappen is not a superstar by choice. He doesn’t have the “star complex.” He’s not after the media attention, the glamour, the drama. He’s a pure driver—a guy who just wants to race and win. He spends his free time driving simulators, hanging with his partner and kid, not hobnobbing with celebrities in Monaco.

But the more he stays true to himself, the more the world seems to come for him. Every time he’s in the car, he has to fight not just the other drivers, but the storylines, the politics, the whispers in the background. It’s a miracle he stays as focused as he does.

When things go sideways—when the car is on the wrong tire, or there’s no grip, or someone sideswipes him—he still pulls off the kind of saves only the very best can manage. Did you see the way he kept it together at 200 kph on Sunday? That’s instinct. That’s greatness.

Ferrari: The Temptation No One Talks About (And What Max Should Do Next)

Let’s talk honestly about Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, and what comes next for Max Verstappen.

Leclerc’s Ferrari career has always been a mix of near-misses, blistering speed, and—let’s face it—protection from above. He’s Ferrari’s golden child, and it’s no secret the Tifosi see him as their best hope in years. But after what we saw in Spain—Leclerc admitting, on video, to moving Max onto the dirty part of the track with zero consequence—it’s impossible to ignore how differently the rules get applied when the prancing horse is involved.

This isn’t paranoia; it’s history. Ferrari is the only team in F1 with a “veto” in the sport’s rule-making. The FIA has always been careful not to upset the team that is, for millions, the face of Formula 1. Just ask Schumacher, or Alonso, or even Vettel—when you’re Ferrari’s number one, you get every break. That’s why Leclerc escapes the kinds of penalties that would bury other drivers.

For Verstappen, the writing is on the wall. His own team’s engineer undermined him on live TV, telling him to surrender a place he never had to give up. The FIA isn’t going to step in. And now, Red Bull’s internal mess is costing him results—and probably costing him his sanity. If you’re Max, and you want a legacy that isn’t defined by endless fights with your own team and the race stewards, what’s left?

Ferrari.
Like it or not, it’s the logical move. Ferrari is desperate for a new superstar, and after today, they know Max is gettable. He’d have the car, the global spotlight, and—crucially—a team that at least understands the politics of F1 better than the current Red Bull circus.

If Verstappen’s goal is more than just racing—if he wants to go down in history as the guy who took Ferrari back to glory, the way Schumacher did—the time to go is now. The only thing standing in his way is his own patience.

And as today showed, that patience is running out.

F1’s Justice System: Broken By Design

Let’s get back to the penalties. The FIA’s points system is supposedly there to enforce fair play. Rack up too many points on your “license,” and you’re banned for a race. But the rules are applied so inconsistently, it’s laughable. Crash because someone put you in an impossible position? Penalty. Survive a sideswipe without taking out half the field? Still a penalty. Meanwhile, the instigators often walk away, untouchable.

If you want to make a real statement, do something drastic. Park the car. Walk away mid-race. Refuse to speak to the media at all. Only then will the world stop and actually pay attention. But if you keep playing by their rules, you’ll keep getting the same result.

For The Fans: What Are We Watching For?

Let’s ask ourselves: if Max Verstappen leaves, what kind of F1 are we left with? A train of drivers too afraid to challenge, processions behind the latest golden boy, and the same recycled controversies, race after race. The only thing keeping the sport alive is the unpredictability—the driver who refuses to play along.

So why does it matter? Because, for fans like me—Dutch, proud, and just wanting fairness—it’s never about the money. Verstappen could earn €500 million, it wouldn’t matter. What matters is justice. And justice is nowhere to be found in today’s F1.

The Recap: Spanish Grand Prix 2025—A Microcosm of F1’s Rot

Key Incidents:

• Max Verstappen penalized (again) for an incident many believed was racing as usual.

• Charles Leclerc admits to pushing Max off, receives no penalty.

• Russell instigates, escapes scrutiny.

• Red Bull infighting, Ferrari rumors swirl.

• FIA, as usual, selectively enforces rules.

• Breaking: Verstappen’s own engineer blunders, costing him crucial track position and igniting new frustration.

What the media covered:
The “emotional” Verstappen, the “heroic” Leclerc, the “smart” Russell.

What really happened:
F1, once again, revealed itself as a playground for politics, bias, and selective justice.

Conclusion: For Max, It’s Time for a Clean Break

After Barcelona 2025, even the most loyal Red Bull fans have to admit it: Max Verstappen deserves better. Leclerc gets away with it, Russell stirs up drama, and Max’s own engineer sells him down the river. The FIA isn’t going to protect him. The media will always twist the knife.

If I’m Max? I’m calling Ferrari. The future’s red, or it’s just more of the same pain.

ABOUT THIS BLOG:

Spanish Grand Prix 2025 review, from the perspective of an F1 fan. Ranting about Max Verstappen penalties, F1 injustice, Leclerc’s side swipe, Russell’s constant drama, Red Bull vs Ferrari, and the politics destroying Formula 1.
#F12025 #SpanishGP #Verstappen #Ferrari #RedBull #F1Politics

#MaxVerstappen #CharlesLeclerc #GeorgeRussell #RedBullRacing #Ferrari #F1Injustice #F1Blog #PipoFifi #F1Rant #F1Controversy #DutchFans #F1History #Formula1

About the Author

PipoFifi is your average ordinary guy next door, an expat who loves fast cars, honest racing, and seeing justice done—whether in Formula 1, football, or life. He’s not a professional journalist or an insider, just a fan who cares about fairness and isn’t afraid to call out the nonsense. When he’s not ranting about F1, he’s probably watching a movie, or a football match with his lovely wife, having a beer, yelling at the TV, or quietly hoping that, just once, the best man actually gets to win.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

This article is an honest opinion and review based on the June 1, 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, for educational and fair use purposes. Share, comment, and join the debate—but don’t steal without credit!

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