What If Max Verstappen Was Behind Red Bull’s Protest in Canada?

Formula 1 races are often decided by fractions of a second, but sometimes the drama off-track is just as intense as what happens on it. The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix was no exception. A seemingly minor incident under the safety car turned into a major talking point, with both Red Bull and Mercedes filing protests after the race. But was Max Verstappen secretly behind it all? Despite what Christian Horner and Toto Wolff said, some F1 pundits, like Nico Rosberg, have suggested that the reigning world champion may have had more influence on the protest than we initially thought. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and whether Verstappen played a role in the drama.

The Incident Under the Safety Car

The tension in the race was palpable as George Russell led the field with Max Verstappen hot on his heels, both drivers vying for supremacy in a season already filled with surprises. The race took a dramatic turn in the final laps, when the safety car was deployed. Russell, for reasons that are still debated, suddenly braked very hard, and Verstappen, caught off guard, shot past him. It was a classic “oops” moment in racing—Russell misjudged his braking point, and Verstappen, taking advantage of the situation, capitalized on it.

But this wasn’t just any pass. The race had reached a critical point. Verstappen was just one penalty point away from a race ban, and George Russell was well aware of it. Almost immediately after the incident, Russell got on the radio, asking for the incident to be reviewed: “Max just overtook me, you need to check that out.”

This call was significant, especially considering Verstappen’s precarious penalty situation. After the race, Red Bull filed not one but two protests claiming that Russell had braked too aggressively and caused Verstappen to fall out of the safety car queue, more than 30 car lengths behind. The protests didn’t go through—both were dismissed by the stewards—but the battle between the teams had just begun.

The War of Words

Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, was quick to criticize the protests, calling them “petty and embarrassing.” He also went on record saying that Max Verstappen, the driver himself, wouldn’t be involved in something like this. “He’s a racer, he wouldn’t stoop to that level,” Wolff declared, making it clear that the protests were more of a team decision.

However, not everyone was buying Wolff’s narrative, particularly former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg. On Sky Sports F1, Rosberg weighed in on the situation, suggesting that while Verstappen didn’t officially file the protest, he likely influenced the decision. Rosberg’s theory was that Verstappen, upset by Russell’s behavior on track, might have exerted emotional pressure on Red Bull to take action. As Rosberg explained:

“Max creeps up beside Russell under the safety car to apply pressure. Russell then braked hard, forcing Max to overshoot. Max, knowing that his penalty risk was high, might have pushed Red Bull to act. It wouldn’t surprise me if this protest came from Max himself, not directly, but emotionally.”

Mind Games and Psychological Warfare

What Rosberg suggested turned the whole situation into a game of cat and mouse, a mind game. In F1, where every point counts, and penalties can make or break a championship, it’s not just about what happens on track but how teams play the game off-track. Verstappen, no stranger to psychological warfare, has shown time and time again that he’s willing to fight every battle, whether it’s on the asphalt or behind the scenes.

The 2025 season was shaping up to be a close one, with the title battle between Verstappen and Russell tightening. This wasn’t just a protest over a minor infraction; it was about sending a message, applying pressure, and gaining a strategic edge. Rosberg’s take on the situation is a reminder that in Formula 1, the competitors are not only elite drivers—they are also elite strategists, ready to use any tool at their disposal, including their teams.

The Unseen Battle: Lewis Hamilton’s Canada Misfortune

While the Verstappen-Russell controversy raged, another drama unfolded that would have massive implications for the rest of the season: Lewis Hamilton’s struggles in the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. On paper, Hamilton had the pace, the momentum, and the track record to challenge for the podium, but fate had other plans.

Hamilton, despite showing promising form in the early laps of the race, found himself caught in an unusual circumstance that nobody could have predicted. As he charged through the track, a groundhog—yes, an animal—darted across the circuit, directly into Hamilton’s path. The impact ripped out critical aerodynamic parts of his car, most notably the aerodynamic veins on the right side of the floor, causing a massive loss of downforce—around 20 points worth.

Hamilton later admitted, “It’s never happened to me here before,” and expressed genuine concern for the animal as well. But the loss of downforce wasn’t just a minor issue—it severely hampered his ability to maintain pace and balance. Hamilton’s race was effectively ruined, and he finished sixth, far from the podium, leaving him 25 points behind in the standings.

But Hamilton’s issues didn’t end there. In addition to the groundhog incident, a brake issue flared up mid-race, and a questionable strategy call saw him staying out too long on worn tires, which pushed him into traffic after his pit stop. Hamilton was simply trying to survive the race at that point, and as he said, “I was just hanging on for dear life.”

Ferrari’s Potential UK Move: A Bigger Issue?

While Hamilton struggled in Montreal, behind the scenes, an even bigger bombshell dropped regarding Ferrari’s future. According to Nico Rosberg, Ferrari is reportedly considering setting up a base in the United Kingdom, a move that could dramatically change the way the team operates. Historically, Ferrari’s headquarters has been in Maranello, Italy, but with most of F1’s top teams—such as Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren—operating out of the UK, Ferrari finds itself on foreign turf.

Rosberg suggested that the Italian team may be looking to tap into the technical expertise and supplier base found in the UK, which could help streamline operations and improve efficiency. However, he also warned that this could create more problems than it solves. If Ferrari were to split its operations between Italy and the UK, it could lead to communication breakdowns, conflicting decisions, and a lack of cohesion within the team.

What does this mean for Hamilton’s future? If Ferrari does move forward with this plan, it could potentially attract Hamilton to the team, as he would be more comfortable operating in the British motorsport environment. But the risks are equally high, as a fractured team structure could further isolate the drivers and complicate decision-making.

Conclusion: The War for F1 Supremacy

The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, like many F1 races, was more than just a race—it was a battleground for psychological warfare, strategic positioning, and on-track dominance. Max Verstappen, while not directly behind the protest, may have influenced the situation in subtle yet powerful ways. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s unfortunate race in Canada only added to the complexity of the season, highlighting how unpredictable and fragile success in F1 can be.

With Ferrari reportedly eyeing a shift in operations, the future of the sport is more uncertain than ever. Will Verstappen continue his reign at the top? Can Mercedes finally get its act together? And could Ferrari’s drastic shift in strategy change everything? One thing is for sure—the battle for Formula 1 supremacy is just beginning, and it’s not just being fought on the track.

Full Video: