Max Verstappen blasts George Russell in bust-up after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint race
‘Expect the same next time you bastard’: Max Verstappen slams George Russell in extraordinary bust-up after Azerbaijan Grand Prix sprint race…with the world champion furious over collision that left a hole in his Red Bull
Max Verstappen has reacted furiously to George Russell after cutting him to pieces during Saturday’s sprint race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the sprint race, with Charles Leclerc second ahead of Verstappen third.
But the Dutch driver is outraged by the incident with Mercedes driver Russell in the second corner of the first lap, which left a gap in the sidepod of the world champion’s Red Bull car.
After the race, Russell tried to explain it by saying, “I didn’t do it on purpose, mate. I had no grip. I just locked myself in.”
The Dutchman was unimpressed by this claim, replying: “Mate, we’re all out of grip, we all need to leave a little space.”
Max Verstappen and George Russell had a bust-up after the Azerbiajan GP Sprint race
Verstappen told the British driver to “expect the same thing next time” after being cut up on track
“Look at the onboard,” the 25-year-old from King’s Lynn responded.
Verstappen replied: ‘Yes, of course. Well expect the same next time. D***head.’
Afterwards, Russell explained the situation to Sky Sports. He said: ‘I was on the inside and you never take that risk when you’re on the outside and I’m not going to hold back because he’s leading the championship.
“I was surprised that he tried to hold him on the outside. He has more to lose than I do. Contact was not intentional, I wanted a clean fight. I was surprised that he opposed the position.
“I’m surprised why he was so angry, he ended up in P3 anyway. He has enough experience to know that if you try to overtake on the outside, someone could run into you on the inside. I don’t think it would have been any different if the positions had been reversed.’
More to follow…