Mercedes driver George Russell said he was “a bit surprised” to see Max Verstappen apologise for their Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix contact on social media.
Russell and Verstappen came to blows in Barcelona with three laps to go when Verstappen was deeply frustrated at being asked by his Red Bull team to give up his position, with Red Bull fearing a penalty after Verstappen had stayed ahead of the Mercedes while going off the track.
At Turn 5 Verstappen slowed down and then accelerated again when Russell passed him, trading a glancing blow with his rival that ended without damage but gave the world champion a 10-second penalty.
Verstappen initially didn’t want to address the incident, but the following week he admitted fault on his Instagram account.
“We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out,” Verstappen posted. “Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened. I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high.”
Commenting on the incident in Montreal, Russell said: “I was a bit surprised to see him taking responsibility, because it’s quite unlike him.
“We actually bumped into each other at the airport a few days ago, but we didn’t even chat about it. He was there with his family and his newborn, chatting about how that was going. He was busy folding the pram and trying to get it through the security scanner.
George Russell, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“So, look, there’s nothing from my side I need to talk about. Had I been taken out of the race, I’d be feeling very differently for sure. Ultimately, his actions benefitted me, cost him, and I should say thanks.”
Straight after the race Russell slammed his opponent for what felt like a “very deliberate” move, but reflecting on it now Russell assumed Verstappen merely wanted to intimidate him rather than actually make contact.
“I want to believe that he didn’t intentionally try to crash into me, because that would be pretty bonkers,” he said. “I think he just tried to show who was boss and put his elbows out and just got it wrong.
“Anything more of a penalty than what he received, I do think, would have been a bit much. But that all depends if it was intentional or not, ultimately.”
As well as a 10-second penalty that dropped Verstappen to 10th, the Red Bull driver is now also one penalty point away from a race ban and needs to get through the upcoming Canada and Austria weekends without infractions.
Speaking in a joking manner, Russell suggested Verstappen might deliberately try and pick up a point to take a weekend off.
“Probably knowing him as I do, he’ll probably drive even more aggressively so he can have a weekend off at home,” Russell jested. “I don’t know. Let’s hope so!”
Additional reporting by Emily Selleck
Leave feedback about this