Former team boss explains why collision with Russell made Verstappen better

Speaking on the Red Flag podcast, the former team principal highlighted that moment as the point where Verstappen realised he could no longer afford to lose points.

“That moment made him aware that he cannot do these things anymore because he loses too many points,” he explained.

“I put it down as a learning experience. Obviously, you learn by making mistakes. Learning is making mistakes, and I think that made him better, because after that, he never did anything foolish again. He learned, and that helped him going forward,” Steiner added.

The 60-year-old described the Barcelona incident as a worthwhile investment for the later stages of the season.

Steiner concluded by describing the four-time world champion as a better version of himself, highlighting the improvement as remarkable. He suggested that if Verstappen keeps his emotions in check, he could become even more clinical.

“He’s an even better Max Verstappen now than he was in Barcelona this year. Scary to think, and maybe if he keeps his temper in check, he’ll be even more unstoppable and more clinical. A more clinical Max Verstappen is terrifying,” Steiner said.

At the race in Barcelona, Verstappen collided with Mercedes driver George Russell during a moment of frustration within the Red Bull pit wall. The incident earned him a penalty, dropping him to tenth place at the end of the race.

Earlier, Verstappen was quick to hit out at a journalist who referenced his Spanish Grand Prix outing as the reason behind his title loss.

The Dutch driver, who finished two points behind championship winner Lando Norris, stressed that a championship is not won over a single race.

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