Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen questioned on Saturday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix whether his collision with George Russell was part of the Briton’s “learning curve”, after the Mercedes driver wounded Verstappen’s RB19.
Verstappen was absolutely furious with Russell following the first sprint race of the season, after the Mercedes driver went into the side of him at the second corner on the opening lap.
Russell was on Verstappen’s inside but locked-up, something which resulted in him understeering into the Dutchman’s left sidepod.
The impact ripped a huge hole in the side of Verstappen’s car, something which actually wasn’t investigated by the stewards.
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Verstappen was livid with Russell, as seen after the sprint.
Despite having gotten back ahead of the British driver to claim third in the sprint, Verstappen waited for Russell in parc ferme, to vent his anger at his fellow 25-year-old.
Their conversation was heard and seen on live TV, with Verstappen having taken no notice of Russell’s attempt at apologising.
“I had no grip,” Russell informed Verstappen.
“We all have no grip, we all need to leave a little bit of space,” replied Verstappen.
“I’d expect next time the same you know!” the Dutchman added whilst Russell started to walk away, before calling the Briton a “di*khead”.
Verstappen remained furious during his post-sprint interviews, with the Dutchman admitting that he wouldn’t have attempted the same overtake if he was in Russell’s position.
“I respect all the drivers a lot. It’s a bit of common sense what you do on the first lap,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 after the sprint.
“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.
“There is potential to damage your car as well, not only my car. Of course, I had a hole in my sidepod, but he could also get a puncture and then his race is over as well.
“I thought I was fair in Turn Two. I gave him enough space. I think he locked up. He tells me ‘I had cold tyres’. Well we all have cold tyres, that’s not an excuse.
“I don’t like it when somebody has that kind of reaction: ‘I didn’t do anything wrong’ and just walks off. It is what it is.
READ: ‘Because he’s Max Verstappen in a Red Bull’: George Russell defiant after flare-up
“I was not overtaking him. He was overtaking me. I’m just trying to stay out of trouble. It’s two views. It’s my views, it’s his view, whatever…
“[In his position] I would try to fight but not run into someone because that’s not what you want to do.
“That’s something you maybe learn over time. I had my moments as well when I first started in Formula 1 where you make some silly mistakes – a lock-up or potential damage. Maybe it’s just part of the learning curve.”