Verstappen speaks out on Russell contact amid chaotic Miami GP finish

The Dutchman’s race was anything but straightforward, having first been involved in a spin at the start that forced him into a recovery drive before later making contact with George Russell in the closing stages while the pair were battling for fifth place.

Red Bull’s strong strategy call under the safety car allowed the four-time world champion to work his way back into podium contention, only for his pace to fade in the closing stages and bring Russell onto his gearbox. The two eventually made contact, with the Briton damaging his front wing in an incident that is currently under investigation.

Speaking to GPblog after the race, Verstappen reflected on his late-race contact with Russell while the pair were battling for fifth place: “I think out of Turn 1 he clipped my rear tyre, so then I think he picked up a bit of front wing damage. Luckily I didn't have a puncture. That can happen.”

sked whether the incident had anything to do with his previous history with Russell, Verstappen dismissed the suggestion: “There's nothing wrong with it. It's nothing to do with the history between us.”

The Dutchman also commented on his late move on Leclerc in the closing stages, where he managed to pass him on the finish line: “I think Charles' car was broken so he was just bringing it to the end, right? I think he was using all the battery like we all did but for whatever reason, I could just get him before the line.”

Kimi Antonelli continued his dominant run in the 2026 season by taking a third consecutive victory in a dramatic Miami Grand Prix, despite once again struggling off the line from pole position. The Mercedes driver immediately lost ground at the start and spent the opening phase of the race fighting his way back through the field.

The race took a chaotic turn early on after Isack Hadjar crashed heavily into the barriers, bringing out the safety car and reshuffling strategies across the grid. Antonelli eventually regained control of the race after the pit stop cycle, although Lando Norris remained glued to the back of the Italian’s Mercedes throughout the closing stages.

Antonelli ultimately managed to keep Norris behind to secure another win and extend his championship advantage, while Verstappen produced one of the standout drives of the afternoon. After spinning in the opening-lap battle for the lead, the Dutchman recovered brilliantly through the field and remained in podium contention until the final laps before tyre degradation dropped him back.