While Oscar Piastri celebrated his fifth win of the 2025 Formula 1 season with a dominant performance in Barcelona, it was Lando Norris who lightened the post-race mood with a cheeky remark about the dramatic clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell.
As the top three drivers gathered in the cool-down room after the Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc gasped, “Oh my god,” and Piastri responded with a nervous “Yikes,” when replays of the Verstappen-Russell incident were shown. Norris, never one to miss a beat, joked: “I’ve done that before… in Mario Kart.”
The comment added a touch of levity to what had been a high-stakes and controversial conclusion to the race. Verstappen, attempting to recover after losing positions following a late Safety Car, found himself battling with Russell for fourth. The pair made contact twice — the second time prompting stewards to hand Verstappen a 10-second penalty for forcing Russell off track in Barcelona.
Verstappen penalised after tense restart duel
The race had already been shaped by intense strategic battles and shifting track conditions. Piastri led confidently from pole and managed the pace throughout, while Norris was overtaken early by Verstappen before reclaiming the position. Red Bull’s early undercut brought Verstappen briefly into the lead, but McLaren responded decisively to regain control.
A Safety Car late in the race — triggered by Kimi Antonelli’s retirement — bunched the field for a six-lap sprint to the finish. Verstappen, on the slower hard tyres, struggled to hold off rivals and clashed with Leclerc before engaging in a scrappy battle with Russell. That moment cost him dearly, as the penalty dropped him to 10th, despite initially finishing fifth.
Meanwhile, Piastri and Norris sailed clear to secure a one-two finish for McLaren, extending Piastri’s lead in the championship. The Australian now holds a 10-point advantage over his teammate heading into the Canadian Grand Prix.
More from the Azerbaijan GP
Catch up with Total Motorsport’s latest Azerbaijan GP coverage, including George Russell’s dramatic Baku victory, the full race classification, the fastest lap result, and the Driver of the Day from the 2026 race.
What did Lando Norris say about the Verstappen-Russell collision at the Spanish GP?
Lando Norris joked, “I’ve done that before… in Mario Kart,” referencing the clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell.
Why was Max Verstappen penalised in the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix?
Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for forcing George Russell off-track during a late-race battle after the Safety Car.
