Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the sprint race at the Baku circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on April 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
MIAMI - George Russell said he has no need to clear the air with Red Bull's Max Verstappen after their Azerbaijan Grand Prix sprint clash, or do anything different in the way he races the Formula One champion.
Asked by reporters ahead of the Miami Grand Prix on Thursday, the Mercedes driver said he had not discussed the incident in Baku with Verstappen. read more
"I’ll continue racing the same way as I always would. A lot's been said about that coming together but from my side, it was pretty straightforward. I went for a move, got the move done and moved on," he said.
For me, it’s history now and it’s behind us. My view of him (Max Verstappen) is still the same. I still respect him and still think he’s a great driver. Obviously things are always said in the heat of the moment but, yeah, we move on.
George Russell, racing driver for Mercedes
"Obviously he was pretty upset about it but that’s racing and these things happen. We’re all here to fight so that’s what F1's about.
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"From my side, there’s no air to be cleared. I’ll welcome and say hello to him if he passes by and I’m sure we’ll shake hands when we bump into each other," he continued.
"For me, it’s history now and it’s behind us. My view of him is still the same. I still respect him and still think he’s a great driver. Obviously things are always said in the heat of the moment but, yeah, we move on."
"Obviously he was pretty upset about it but that’s racing and these things happen. We’re all here to fight so that’s what F1's about.
"From my side, there’s no air to be cleared. I’ll welcome and say hello to him if he passes by and I’m sure we’ll shake hands when we bump into each other," he continued.
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"For me, it’s history now and it’s behind us. My view of him is still the same. I still respect him and still think he’s a great driver. Obviously things are always said in the heat of the moment but, yeah, we move on."
