George Russell insists there is no feud between himself and Max Verstappen, even after the two-time Formula One champion called him a ‘d***head’.
Verstappen made the insult directly after the sprint race in Azerbaijan back in April, confronting the Mercedes star in the paddock after the pair had collided on track, an incident that left a hole in the sidepod of the Dutchman’s Red Bull.
Russell told Verstappen: ‘He had no grip,’ before his rival retorted: ‘Mate, we all have no grip. We all need to give a little bit of space.’
Russell then walked away before Verstappen shouted: ‘But expect it next time the same, you know. D***head.’
Both drivers attempted to diffuse the matter soon after, though the Brit did also claim his rival ‘spat his dummy out’.
Speaking about the incident five months later, and his relationship with his fellow drivers, Russell, jokingly said on the Beyond the Grid podcast: ‘I think it began with a “D”, and I think it ended in a “D” as well!
‘Yeah, you know, it’s racing. We’re all in the heat of the moment. It’s a physical sport, even though it’s sometimes not perceived that way.
‘We often have normal chats with not a single ounce of awkwardness. It’s just part of the business, part of the job and it’s never personal.’
Russell is eighth in the standings, with just one podium to his name so far this year, as the F1 season continues this weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix.
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