David Coulthard casts verdict on Max Verstappen 'regret' with 'weaker minds' explanation

David Coulthard does not believe Max Verstappen will "regret" running into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, despite it costing the Dutchman vital points in the F1 drivers' championship.

The incident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is well-trodden ground. Even if the Red Bull driver had relinquished position to the Briton without drama, he would have crossed the line fifth, securing 10 points.

However, the subsequent 10-second time penalty he received for causing contact with the Mercedes dropped him down to tenth at the chequered flag, a net loss of nine points.

That proved decisive come the end of the campaign. When the four-time F1 drivers' champion finished the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix first, ahead of title winner Lando Norris in third, the difference between the pair in the standings was just two points.

Whilst a number of moments across the year ultimately culminated in Verstappen surrendering his crown to the McLaren driver through the usual ifs, buts and maybes of an F1 season, the 28-year-old hitting Russell in Spain was entirely within his control and entirely preventable, which is why the rest mist descending on him can be viewed differently.

However, Coulthard, who raced for Red Bull between 2005 and his retirement from F1 at the end of 2008, does not believe Verstappen will harbour regret.

The 13-time grand prix winner does not believe he is "wired" that way, and that perhaps those with "weaker minds" would grapple with the situation differently.

"I don't think he'll regret it, because I think Max is absolutely in the here and now," the Scotsman said when speaking exclusively to RacingNews365.

"I think that weaker minds might have regret. It's a valid question, and it's an obvious one, in many ways, but I just don't think Max is wired that way. I think he's hard-wired for the here and now."

Verstappen's sense of self-worth

After running the number 1 on his Red Bull for the 92 grands prix of his reign as F1 drivers' champion since defeating Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi in 2021, Verstappen has had to part with the number reserved for the defending title winner.

Whilst he will adopt number 3, leaving his previous 33 to a bygone era, he will be working towards reclaiming the number now bestowed upon Norris.

Although given the uncertainty of the looming regulations changes, which will see all-new power unit rules and Red Bull — through Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) — becoming an engine manufacturer for the first time, there is no guarantee Verstappen can enjoy a competitive package with the Milton Keynes-based squad for the foreseeable future.

The 71-time grand prix winner has long maintained he does not need to supplant Hamilton by surpassing his record number of victories, or move past the seven titles the Ferrari driver and Michael Schumacher have secured.

And Coulthard detailed why staying a four-time F1 drivers' champion will not change how Verstappen views himself.

"I truly believe when he says that if he doesn't win another world championship, that's not going to change his feelings or sense of self-worth," he said.

"He races to win, but he also understands that you can't win them all, and with [Red Bull] Powertrains next year, it may be a lame period; we just don't know."