MONTMELO, Spain — Max Verstappen dealt his Formula 1 title defence a self-inflicted blow at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix when he collided with George Russell’s Mercedes, in a move which Russell later said appeared to be “deliberate.”
Verstappen had been ordered by his Red Bull team to cede position to Russell — in hopes of avoiding a minor penalty — after he had driven beyond the track limits so he could defend his position late in the race.
The Dutchman slowed to let Russell pass, but as Russell did so, Verstappen’s car collided with the side of the Silver Arrow.
Race stewards ruled that the “collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions” of Verstappen and slapped him with a 10-second penalty. That sent…