Formula 1 driver George Russell expressed frustration over Max Verstappen’s aggressive move that resulted in a crash, saying it felt “deliberate” and unnecessary. The incident occurred after Verstappen was asked to let Russell pass on the track.
Russell stated he had witnessed similar actions in sim racing but never in a Formula 1 race. He believes Verstappen should be held accountable for his actions and warned that such behavior can set a bad example for young aspiring drivers.
Verstappen was given three penalty points on his super license, leaving him one point away from a potential race ban. The Dutchman also received a one-race penalty for the incident. Russell’s comments have sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some arguing that Verstappen should be disqualified or black-flagged.
Fellow drivers Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris expressed shock at the incident when rewatching footage in the paddock. Max Verstappen avoided discussing his intentions during a press conference, instead focusing on the race strategy. The driver attributed his performance to tires issues and explained that he had hoped for a more aggressive pace.
Source: https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/45421275/spanish-gp-george-russell-says-max-verstappen-crash-felt-deliberate