“I Would Get Him Anyway Within a Few Laps”: Max Verstappen Says George Russell Made No Sense With His Risky Move

Tanish Chachra | 29/04/2023
"I Would Get Him Anyway Within a Few Laps": Max Verstappen Says George Russell Made No Sense With His Risky Move

Max Verstappen got engaged in a tense argument with George Russell after the latter knocked him at turn 2 in Baku. After the sprint race ended, Verstappen quickly went to have a word with Russell, and it didn’t look pleasant. Even after that, the two are in a war of words in front of the media.

Verstappen now feels that the risky move made by Russell wasn’t even worth it. He believes there was not even a reward for such a move, as the Red Bull star claims he would have caught Russell in no time.

“You just have to picture yourself. They are off the pace, and to risk that much on lap one, I think it’s not very rewarding anyway because I would get him anyway within a few laps,” said Verstappen to SkySports.

George Russell should own it, says Max Verstappen

Verstappen is clear in his blame on Russell. However, what annoys the Dutchman the most is that the Mercedes star has reasoned ‘cold tires’ for the dent he gave. For the two-time world champion, it’s not right.

Verstappen further said to SkySports that Russell should own his behavior and not find external influences as an excuse. The Red Bull star said even he had cold tires like Russell but didn’t collide with anyone and kept his control.

In the end, Verstappen accepted that these things happen and all are part of the learning curve. He even confessed that he used to make such mistakes in the early phase of his career.

Mercedes star surprised by Verstappen

While Verstappen went full ballistic on it, Russell also kept his stance assertively. According to the Mercedes star, he had the position, and his rival should have left the fight over there.

In fact, he is surprised that Verstappen kept pushing for it. Moreover, he also thought that after the race, the current world champion came to him to say ‘good-fight’, but he was amazed to receive such aggressive words.

In the end, Verstappen was at the receiving end. Christian Horner said the RB-19, driven by the Verstappen, almost lost eight-tenths of a second.

Post Edited By: Tanish Chachra
George Russell Max Verstappen Mercedes Red Bull

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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