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BRIT RUSSELL: I’LL STILL SPEAK MY MIND AFTER MAX SPAT
FORMULA 1
MAX VERSTAPPEN bore the brunt of a British backlash after his on-track spat with George Russell but vowed: “I’m still going to say what I think.”
The flying Dutchman believes his relationship with F1 fans in this country has hit a new low following his run-in with the Norfolk driver in Baku last week.
The pair went head-to-head in the Sprint with Russell barging past his rival on turn two and their cars collided seconds later.
Verstappen was angry at the damage his car sustained and, shortly afterwards, levelled a barrage of insults in the direction of the Mercedes driver.
When asked in Miami about the rumpus in the Azerbaijan capital,
Russell said: “I’ll carry on racing the same way I always would. A lot’s been said about it – but it was quite straightforward – even though Max was very upset about it. “This is racing – and it happens. “We’re here to fight, that’s what F1 is all about. I still respect Max, he’s a great driver. And things are always said in the heat of the moment – let’s move on.”
Verstappen is known for his competitive streak and has not shied away from the words used.
When pressed for a comment on where his relationship was with the Silver Arrows man, he said: “It’s terrible,” before adding, “of course our relationship isn’t terrible.
“That’s what people might like to hear – but no, it’s absolutely fine.”
More worrying for Verstappen’s team is the reaction to the crash on social media.
There is a fear in Red Bull circles about the level of negativity towards their driver which grew after his bitter fight for the world title with Lewis Hamilton two years ago. After the two drivers collided last week, the Dutchman felt he was Public Enemy No.1.
“In my opinion, it was especially from English people,” he said, fuelling fears that there was a deeper element at play.
Verstappen has shrugged his shoulders in public, claiming he does not care.
But the knock-on from that is the sport’s bosses now fear he could be booed when mounting the podium – an occurrence that happened several times last season. It is, however, important to balance that by pointing out that former world champs Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have also had to face the music when they were hot property in the sport.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali remains a big supporter of the sport’s current flag-bearer. And he knows conflict drives engagement.
When that happens, sponsors flock to the sport. That would be music to the ears of private equity owners Liberty Media, especially as they have invented the Sprint to give fans more on-track action.
But, for now, Verstappen is not going to change.
He said: “I just say what I think and I’m going to keep doing that.
“If people have issues, that is their problem.”
‘We are here to fight – that’s what F1 is all about’