BREAKING:Palmer Slams Verstappen’s Spanish GP Actions, Compares… read more 

Former Formula 1 driver and current F1TV pundit Jolyon Palmer has once again launched a scathing critique of Max Verstappen, following the Dutchman’s controversial actions during the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen received a significant penalty after a collision with George Russell, a move that Palmer believes was entirely unjustifiable and detrimental to the integrity of the sport.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Palmer expressed his disbelief at Verstappen’s behavior, stating that there could be no legitimate defense for what he saw as a deliberate attempt to crash into Russell. “There’s no justification for deliberately trying to crash a Formula One car,” Palmer asserted. “That’s exactly what Max tried to do—he tried to barge into George Russell, and I can’t see any reason or excuse for that.”

Palmer’s disappointment was particularly sharp given Verstappen’s elite status in the sport. Referring to him as a four-time world champion and arguably the best driver on the current grid, Palmer lamented the poor example Verstappen sets for younger drivers who idolize stars like him. “He’s someone people look up to,” Palmer said. “Just like many aspiring drivers wear Senna or Schumacher helmets, a lot now admire Max. But what does it say to them when your role model behaves like that?”

Palmer drew an unflattering comparison between Verstappen and Michael Schumacher, noting how the seven-time world champion, despite his success, was frequently criticized for questionable sportsmanship. Palmer recalled controversial moments like Schumacher’s clashes with Damon Hill in Adelaide, the infamous Jerez incident with Jacques Villeneuve, and the 2006 Rascasse qualifying controversy in Monaco. “People still talk about these moments,” Palmer acknowledged. “But is being remembered for controversy really the legacy you want? Being iconic is one thing—but doing so by breaking the rules and showing poor sportsmanship is quite another.”

He also likened Verstappen to tennis player Nick Kyrgios, another high-level athlete often scrutinized for his volatile conduct. Palmer said the frustration lies in how much talent Verstappen actually has, which makes his risky and aggressive behavior all the more needless. “In Miami, for instance, he was electric,” Palmer noted, referring to the Dutchman’s thrilling defense against the McLarens. “No other driver could have pulled off such a gutsy, prolonged fight at the front. It was edge-of-your-seat stuff.”

Despite praising Verstappen’s raw skill, Palmer made it clear that admiration for talent doesn’t excuse poor conduct. “There’s a line,” he concluded. “And for me, that line is sportsmanship. Verstappen crossed it. Just like Schumacher used to. Some may love the drama, but there’s a responsibility to lead by example in this sport—and Max is failing to do that.”