Tensions between Max Verstappen and George Russell reached a boiling point once again at the Las Vegas GP. The duo, who had a fierce encounter earlier in the season in Azerbaijan, found themselves entangled in a gripping clash during the race in the city of lights. The incident, which unfolded at Turn 12, ultimately landed Russell a 5-second penalty for causing a collision with Verstappen.

However, in a surprising twist, Max Verstappen, known for his fierce competitive spirit, took a different stance than Azerbaijan. He absolved George Russell of any intentional wrongdoing, stating that George must not have seen him on the inside.

Max Verstappen speaks out on whether George Russell deserved the 5-second penalty

The Dutchman was catching up to the front runners quickly after serving his 5-second penalty during the pit stop. As Verstappen caught up with Russell, he attempted a daring move on the inside of Turn 12, leading to a collision between the two drivers. The incident triggered an investigation culminating in George Russell being slapped with a 5-second penalty.

During the post-race conference, Verstappen was asked about the incident with George. “While we’re talking 5-second penalties, there was the collision with George as you say. Do you think he deserved a 5-second penalty for that?”

Max Verstappen, reflecting on the incident, surprised many with his response. “That’s always a tricky one, I mean, he didn’t do that on purpose. I think he just didn’t expect me to pass him into that corner because that’s how it felt like. I put it on the inside, and he just turned in like there was no one there, right? So I guess he just didn’t see me.”

These words, a departure from Verstappen’s usual fiery demeanor, marked a shift in the narrative surrounding the clash between the two drivers. Instead of laying blame on Russell, Max chose to attribute the incident to a lack of visibility on George’s part, letting him off the hook for any intentional careless antics.

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To truly understand the heated dynamics between Max Verstappen and George Russell, one must rewind the clock to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where the seeds of animosity were sown.

Bitter Memories from Baku between Verstappen and Russell

During the Azerbaijan Sprint Race on Saturday, an intense battle unfolded between the Red Bull and Mercedes drivers. In the opening lap of the race, Verstappen and Russell found themselves side by side, eventually leading to a collision between the two. Russell opted to hold his ground on the inside of Turn 2, leading to Verstappen clipping him when the Mercedes driver locked up. What ensued was a heated exchange of words and gestures between the two on and off the track.

Max Verstappen, frustrated and vocal after the incident, referred to Russell as a “Di**head.” In a post-race interview, he questioned Russell’s decision-making, saying, “He’s very good in explaining and creating excuses. I mean, everyone had cold tires, and I think I had every right to be on the outside. I also didn’t really risk anything too much, I gave him enough space, you know, because I knew we were going side by side. But, you know, you need two guys to work together, you know, to make the corner. Clearly, he didn’t.”

Russell, undeterred, defended his actions. He told Sky Sports, “If the roles were reversed, I’m sure he would have done exactly the same.” He emphasized the competitive nature of Formula 1, asserting, “Yeah, it’s part of racing, and we will move on; we’re big boys, and this is Formula 1.”

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In the neon-lit city of Las Vegas, where fortunes are made and lost, the Grand Prix delivered a spectacle that will be remembered by Formula 1 fans. The collision between Max Verstappen and George Russell added another chapter to their ongoing rivalry.