The 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix hasn’t even started, and there’s already a major talking point. During Free Practice 2 at Imola, reigning world champion Max Verstappen had a fiery radio outburst directed at Franco Colapinto, following an unexpected maneuver from the young Argentine driver. Captured live on the official broadcast, Verstappen’s voice echoed with disbelief: “What is this guy doing using DRS?”

A Bold Move on the Straight

The incident occurred when Colapinto, behind the wheel of an Alpine, used DRS (Drag Reduction System) to defend his position on the main straight—right as Verstappen, in his Red Bull, was on a flying lap. The Dutchman, clearly not expecting such a move in practice, reacted instantly with a sharp complaint over team radio.

His race engineer, caught off guard, responded bluntly: “No idea.”

While DRS use is allowed during practice sessions, deploying it while defending against a significantly faster car is rare, especially in high-speed traffic.

Calm Response from Colapinto

Rather than engage in the controversy, 21-year-old Colapinto, who is standing in for Jack Doohan, remained composed. After the session, he reflected positively on his performance and the day’s learning process:

“It was a great first day. We need to keep improving, understand the data, and come back a bit stronger tomorrow.”

The incident quickly blew up on social media, where fans took sides—some defending Colapinto’s right to race, others siding with Verstappen’s frustration.

As the Imola weekend progresses, the clash between rookie ambition and world champion experience has already ignited sparks. And with the race still to come, tensions could escalate even further in what promises to be a thrilling Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.