Max insists he’ll not shy away in wake of Baku
week. The pair went head to head in the Sprint race, 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 Mercedes driver’s direction. Asked in Miami about the rumpus in Azerbaijan’s capital, Russell Russ said: “I’ll carry on racing the ssame way I always would. “A lot’s been said about it but it wwas quite straightforward – eveven though Max was very upset ups about it. This is racing and it happens. We’re here to fight, figh that’s what F1 is all about. “I still respect Max, he’s a great gre driver. And things are always alw said in the heat of the moment,m let’s move on.” Verstappen is known for his hi competitive streak and has ha not shied away from the words w used. Pressed for a comment on where his relationship is with the Silver Arrows man, the 25-year- old 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 the backto-back world champion’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 battle for the crown with Lewis Hamilton (left) two years ago.
After the two drivers collided last week, the Dutchman felt he was public enemy No.1.
Fuelling fears there was a deeper element at play, he said: “In my opinion, it was especially from English people.”
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 the star 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 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, while 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 race the day before the grand prix to give fans more on-track action.
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’s their problem.”