Max Verstappen and George Russell were involved in an incident that was the talking point of an otherwise uneventful Azerbaijan GP last weekend. Their clash in the sprint didn’t make Verstappen happy, and the two of them engaged in a verbal standoff in the immediate aftermath of the race.
“Espera la próxima vez lo mismo”
El encontronazo entre Verstappen y Russell tras su toque en Bakú 💥😱#AzerbaiyanDAZNF1 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/IBSH3Lt97R
— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) April 29, 2023
However, as we approach the Miami GP, Verstappen wants everyone to forget about what happened between him and Russell last weekend. In fact, the Red Bull star was in the mood for a joke when asked about his relationship with Russell following their incident in Baku. He jokingly stated that his relationship with the Brit was now “horrible”.
“My relationship with him? Horrible now!” said Verstappen as quoted by Next Gen Auto.
Without wasting time, he quickly added that he was joking. Verstappen said that people want them to continue with their supposed beef, but insists that his relationship with the Mercedes driver is fine.
Max Verstappen blames the English for social media abuse
Verstappen has never shied away from controversy, and a lot of things he says and does, lead to a fair amount of criticism being thrown his way. This often leads to people on social media resorting to means of abuse, to show their disagreement with what the Dutchman says or does.
Verstappen thinks that most of the abuse that is directed towards him comes from the English. This could be because of his intense rivalry with seven-time world champion and British hero Lewis Hamilton, whom he defeated in the 2021 world championship. Verstappen, however, is unfazed by what people think about him.
“It’s a little bit poor to see how he spat his dummy out” 🍼
George Russell described Max Verstappen’s reaction to their contact in Baku as ‘pathetic’, but feels the two will laugh about it one day 😅 pic.twitter.com/FHTz7dGmLo
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 4, 2023
“I just say what I think and I keep doing it,” the 25-year-old said. “If people have a problem with that, that’s their problem, isn’t it?”
Coming back to Russell, Verstappen is adamant that he has moved on from the incident, as has the Mercedes driver. Both of them have agreed to not see eye to eye on what happened at the Baku Street Circuit.
Verstappen under threat from his teammate Sergio Perez
Until now, Verstappen has never had to deal with Sergio Perez being so close behind him in his fight for the world championship. Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021, spent the first two seasons in the shadow of Verstappen.
This year, however, the Mexican driver has gone off to a stunning start, winning two out of the opening four races. This puts him P2 in the standings, jus six points behind the leader Verstappen, who has 93 points to his name.
Verstappen will keep a close eye on Perez, as he tries to fend off the Guadalajara-born driver’s challenge, in his bid to securing his third successive world championship title.
