Verstappen had an argument with Russell after the sprint in Azerbaijan! He’s an idiot, said the reigning champion about the Mercedes driver

Sergio Pérez won Saturday’s sprint in Azerbaijan, followed by Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. However, the reigning champion was particularly unhappy after the race when he got into a fight with George Russell. He and the Mercedes driver subsequently had an argument after the race.

On Saturday 29 April, Formula One had the first of six sprint races on the schedule this year. Sergio Pérez took the victory, reaching the top step of the podium for the second time in his career at the Baku circuit.

Second place in the sprint race in Azerbaijan went to Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen finishing third. And it was not only the Dutch driver who was not satisfied with his result after the race.

Immediately after the start, Verstappen fought a tough battle with George Russell, who started from fourth place. The reigning champion had a bad start, putting the Mercedes driver in an advantageous position on Verstappen’s left side for the first three left-hand corners.

Even with light contact at turn two, which left a hole in the side of Verstappen’s car, Russell fought his way past the reigning champion, who subsequently complained about the British driver’s actions on the radio.

And it was this incriminating moment that the two players had a post-race spat about. You can see the whole situation in the attached video below.

Russell tried to explain to Verstappen that he had no grip after the start. However, the Red Bull driver argued that neither driver had enough grip and they needed to leave each other room on the track.

He’s an id*ot, Verstappen said of Russell

“I had no grip,” Russell said. “None of us had that, we all have to give each other some space (on the track),” Verstappen responded.

“I know, I know,” the former replied, whereupon Verstappen continued. “But predict it next time. Id*ot.”

In a subsequent post-race interview, Russell added that he was in Formula One because he understandably wants to fight for positions and win.

“I’m here to fight. I’m here to win. I’m not going to back down or hold back just because he (Verstappen) is leading the championship.”

AlphaTauri driver Yuki Cunoda hit the barrier in the opening laps. As a result, his rear tyre came loose, forcing the Safety Car onto the track. After the restart, Verstappen regained third place, but could not get any higher by the end of the sprint.

Sources