Just as the race appeared settled after the final round of pit stops — kicked off by Verstappen’s third when he was just a few seconds adrift of Norris — a safety car period intervened, caused by Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes engine expiring smokily.

Formula 1 has gone into meltdown after Max Verstappen escaped with just a 10-second penalty for ramming into bitter rival George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen’s Formula One championship hopes suffered a significant blow after the Red Bull driver was demoted to 10th place at the Spanish Grand Prix for deliberately ramming George Russell.