“All the Signs Went Red”: Verstappen Calls Spanish GP Clash His “Only Criticism” of 2025

Arriving in Las Vegas for the penultimate round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen is a man on the ropes. The four-time champion sits 49 points adrift of leader Lando Norris, facing mathematical elimination on the very Strip where he hopes to keep his title chances alive.

In a season defined by the struggle to keep up with the dominant McLaren team, the Red Bull driver has been forced to “maximise the potential” of an inconsistent RB21. Looking back on his campaign, Verstappen has now singled out one specific moment not as a technical failure, but as a personal one: the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix.

In recent interviews, he has labelled the race his “only point of criticism” for the year, referencing a costly moment of frustration that, in hindsight, may have cost him a shot at the championship.

🇪🇸 The Incident: When “All the Signs Went Red”

Unlike the critiques of 2024, which focused on minor vulnerabilities in a dominant car, this 2025 criticism is about a major, self-inflicted error.

The incident in question was a late-race collision with Mercedes driver George Russell at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

• The Context: Verstappen was in a frustrating race, battling a car that was difficult on its tyres. A late Safety Car restart bunched the pack.
• The Frustration: The Red Bull strategy forced him onto the Hard tyre compound, which was difficult to fire up, leaving him vulnerable. He was then told over the radio to give a position back, a message that tipped him over the edge.
• The “Criticism”: In his own words, Verstappen admitted that “at that moment, all the signs went red.” Driven by frustration, he made an aggressive move and collided with Russell, earning a 10-second time penalty from the stewards.

📈 The Cost of a “Mistake”

The penalty was devastating. Verstappen, who was running P5 on the road, was demoted to P10 in the final classification. This cost him nine crucial world championship points.

In a season where he has been clawing for every single point against the faster McLarens, this single “mistake” was a massive unforced error. Those nine points now represent the difference between a difficult challenge and the near-impossible one he faces in Las Vegas.

“I am happy with my season,” Verstappen told Viaplay. “The only point of criticism is the situation in Barcelona. What happened there, of course, wasn’t great, but it also came from the fact that I really care. I cannot put in 80% effort. I get mad at myself.”

🎰 A Regret That Looms Large in Las Vegas

Verstappen’s admission is rare. He has acknowledged the incident as a “mistake” that he learns from. He links the outburst to his perfectionist nature, stating he cannot accept not giving 100%—but in this instance, his frustration cost him.

As the championship fight comes down to its final, desperate moments, those points lost in Spain loom larger than ever. It wasn’t a flaw in the Red Bull fortress; it was a personal error that provided his rivals with an advantage he could not afford to give.

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Sources

• Viaplay (2025). Verstappen 2025 Season Review.
• The Race (2025). The part of the season Verstappen admits he messed up.
• Motorsport Week (2025). The one moment in F1 2025 that Max Verstappen regrets.
• GPblog (2025). Verstappen highlights ‘signs went red’ clash as single mistake in 2025.
• GPFans (2025). Max Verstappen makes unusual U-turn in George Russell feud.
• Eurosport (2025). Grand Prix d’Espagne: Max Verstappen a retrouvé ses vieux démons.