A dramatic new twist has emerged following Max Verstappen’s chaotic Spanish Grand Prix, as the Red Bull team reveals “game-changing” evidence that could shift the narrative around the controversial closing laps in Barcelona.

The reigning four-time world champion stunned fans and pundits alike with a feisty late-race collision with George Russell, resulting in a 10-second penalty and three penalty points—bringing him to the brink of a race ban. But now, Verstappen and Red Bull are defending their actions with fresh insights.

Appearing in a brief media session ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen addressed a key detail that many had overlooked—his shock at being fitted with hard tyres in the final stint of the race. While it appeared to be a strategic misstep, Verstappen suggested that the full story hadn’t been told—until now.

“There’s been a lot said, but the truth is new evidence came to light after the race,” Verstappen revealed. “Our internal data shows that I was misinformed in the heat of the moment. I didn’t know hards were our only fresh set left. That changes everything.”

The “game-changing evidence” Verstappen refers to is a detailed analysis of pit wall communications and tyre allocation data, which Red Bull has since shared with the FIA. According to the team, Verstappen’s radio transmission requesting “fresh tyres” was misunderstood due to the chaotic Safety Car deployment, with no time to clarify that hards were the only option.

Mika Hakkinen, two-time F1 world champion, had earlier questioned why Verstappen wasn’t aware of his tyre options, stating, “Normally a driver knows exactly what tyres he has left.” But Verstappen’s comments now suggest a breakdown in communication rather than a lapse in awareness.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner stood by the strategy decision in a post-race statement:

“The Safety Car came out at the worst possible time for our three-stop plan. We had to either stay out on old softs or risk the fresh hards. Based on what we knew at the time, we made the right call.”

While many still debate whether Verstappen should have stayed out, the new evidence gives context to a finale that many deemed reckless.

FIA officials have not reversed Verstappen’s penalty, but acknowledged receipt of Red Bull’s telemetry and communication logs. An FIA spokesperson commented:

“While the stewards’ decision stands, we recognize the new data provided by Red Bull. This additional context will be noted in any future evaluations involving similar circumstances.”

The tension now shifts to Canada, where Verstappen sits on 11 penalty points—just one shy of a one-race suspension.

As Verstappen summed up:

“It’s easy to judge from the outside. But we made decisions under pressure, and now with all the facts, I hope people see it a little differently.”

With championship leader Oscar Piastri pulling further ahead and Red Bull’s margin narrowing, every point—and every explanation—counts.