Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen certainly wasn’t a happy driver after Saturday afternoon’s sprint race, with the Dutchman having been hit on the opening lap of the 17-lap race by George Russell.
Verstappen started third in the sprint with Russell in fourth; however, it was the Mercedes driver who reacted better to the lights going out.
As a result, the pair went through the opening two corners side by side, with the contact between the two having come at the second corner.
Russell locked-up on the way into the second corner forcing him wide, meaning he hit the side of Verstappen.
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This caused hefty damage to the Dutchman’s left sidepod, which had a gaping hole in it following the collision with Russell.
The pair remained side by side on the way down to Turn 3, where Russell eventually got the move done.
Verstappen certainly wasn’t pleased with Russell’s move, with the Red Bull driver having been warned by his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase that Russell has “nothing to lose”.
“Hold it Max, these guys have got nothing to lose. Just remember that,” said Lambiase.
“No mate, he tapped me. That’s how he got the position. F***ing report it!” demanded the Dutchman.
A Safety Car was released not long after Russell overtook Verstappen, with the Dutch driver having then gotten himself back into third following the restart, after a good move at the opening corner.
“Lovely job Max, without contact as well, nicely done,” quipped Lambiase.
“Yeah, I know how to do that,” Verstappen bluntly replied.
With the damage he sustained, Verstappen failed to make any further progress, with the damage to his sidepod having presumably had a major effect on his aerodynamics and downforce.
Third place did ensure Verstappen another six points; however, team-mate Sergio Perez claimed eight points for winning the sprint.
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Verstappen remained furious after the race and waited to rant at Russell in parc ferme, before continuing during his post-race interview.
“It’s not clarified [the situation with Russell],” Verstappen assured in parc ferme.
“I don’t understand why you need to take so much risk, under steer into my sidepod. We all have no grip. It’s fine, we still got into P3 and got some good points but it is what it is. It doesn’t look [the car] that great, we will focus on tomorrow.”