George Russell has labelled his conflict with Max Verstappen on the 2025 F1 Spanish Grand Prix as “pointless”, including that the reigning world champion had as soon as once more “let himself down”.
Russell and Verstappen had two high-profile incidents on the finish of the race after the Security Automobile.
Verstappen was susceptible on the finish of the race after Purple Bull put him on laborious tyres.
The Dutchman misplaced out to Charles Leclerc after which was pressured large by George Russell at Flip 1.
Verstappen held the place over Russell after operating throughout the run-off however was ordered by Purple Bull to present the place again.
In frustration, as he lifted, Verstappen bumped into Russell’s path.
Verstappen was hit with a 10-second time penalty, dropping him from fifth to tenth.
2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg known as for Verstappen to be disqualified after “horrible” driving towards Russell.
Giving his perspective, Russell instructed Sky Sports activities: “I imply I used to be as stunned as you guys most likely had been. I’ve seen these kinds of manoeuvres earlier than on simulator video games and in go-karting however by no means in System 1.
“Finally, we got here house in P4 and he got here house in P10. I don’t actually know what was going by way of his thoughts. It felt deliberate within the second. It was a bit shocking.”
Russell was then requested if Verstappen’s penalty ought to have been extra extreme.
“It’s not likely my place to say to be sincere,” Russell added. “Proper now, I’m not going to present it any thought as a result of we’ve received our personal issues to do properly which is to attempt to make our automobile quicker. We had been destined to complete P4 at the moment, most likely forward of Charles and behind Max.
“Clearly, the Security Automobile on the finish shuffled issues up. It’s all the way down to the stewards to resolve if it was deliberate or not.Max is such an incredible driver and so many individuals look as much as him. It’s only a disgrace one thing like that continues to happen. It’s completely pointless and by no means appears to profit himself.”
Verstappen “lets himself down a bit”
Forward of this weekend, Verstappen was nonetheless in title competition regardless of Purple Bull’s inconsistent kind.
The four-time world champion delivered a masterclass at Imola, pulling off a surprising transfer on Oscar Piastri on the opening lap.
Verstappen’s overtake earned reward from Russell, who described it as among the best strikes he’s seen in F1.
Russell conceded that it’s a disgrace to see Verstappen vent his frustration on observe when he can ship world class moments.
“I’m too shut to present my opinion on behalf of the drivers,” Russell defined.
“Like in Austin final yr, a few of the greatest strikes ever and also you go to Mexico, then he lets himself down a bit.
“You go to Imola, among the best strikes we’ve all seen in a very long time after which this occurs. As I mentioned, it prices him and his crew a whole lot of factors. Charles and I truly dropped off like a stone in these previous few laps. He most likely may have come again to combat for the rostrum.
“As I say, I’m not going to lose sleep. We’ve received our personal issues to take care of which is making our personal automobile go quicker.”
