George Russell: "Verstappen's Reaction Surprised Me" After Barca Blunder
Formula One driver Verstappen's response to his fellow racing star's outburst of anger
When George Russell and Max Verstappen cross paths off the F1 racetrack, the heat from Barcelona cools down. The Veteran F1 Champ clipped Russell's Mercedes, now faces a potential ban, and Russell has a peculiar take on the incident.
In an interview with BBC, Russell expressed that he didn't anticipate an apology from Verstappen for his aggressive maneuver. "His action cost him something, and it helped me. So, I should almost thank him. But it's good to see that he's taken responsibility, which surprised me a bit," said the Mercedes driver.
Verstappen was slapped with a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for his reckless driving. If the Red Bull star commits another offense, he risks a race ban. The upcoming Canadian Grand Prix (Sunday, 8 pm/RTL, Sky) and the subsequent one in Austria will demand self-restraint from Verstappen. "If he gets his twelve points, that wouldn't be unfair. That's why it's there," Russell added.
Despite the penalty, Verstappen slipped to 10th position in Barcelona. After the race, he penned a humble apology on Instagram, acknowledging the mistake,, "Our tire choice at the end of the race and some actions after the safety car intensified my frustration, leading to a maneuver that was not right and should not have happened."
Russell emphasized that he will proceed with his usual driving style. For fans, such incidents can add an element of excitement, particularly for neutral spectators.
Interestingly, their chance encounter at the airport last week, following the Barcelona clash, didn't appear to reignite tensions. According to Russell, he had already forgotten about the collision by the airport meet, as Verstappen was accompanied by his newborn daughter. After going through security, they exchanged brief pleasantries, with Verstappen occupied with folding the stroller afterwards1.
In the world of Formula 1, Max Verstappen might want to apply the same caution to his steps off the racetrack as he does on it, considering the maximum number of steps his actions can take him in the world of sports, much like in Formula 1's infamous Formula 1, where a minor mistake could lead to significant consequences. For instance, a hockey player who makes an aggressive move could receive similar penalties, learning that actions can cost you, but taking responsibility can surprise others positively.
