George Russell did something Max Verstappen 'didn't like' after F1 stars' feud
George Russell and Max Verstappen were at loggerheads again in Canada last week.
George Russell got under Max Verstappen’s skin by beating him to pole position in Canada, Guenther Steiner believes. Both drivers have a growing rivalry that stems back to last year’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Before the race, Russell had poked fun at Verstappen’s disciplinary record, joking that he had more “penalty points to play with”. The Dutchman, who will face a one-race ban if he receives one more penalty point before June 30, labelled the quip “childish”. It came a fortnight after Verstappen rammed his car into Russell towards the end of the Barcelona Grand Prix. However, former Haas team principal Steiner thinks the four-time reigning world champion was also annoyed that he beat him to pole position in Quebec.
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Speaking to talkSPORT, the Italian said: “It all started in Barcelona when Max drove into George Russell at the end of the race, and then got a penalty of 10 seconds. He didn’t do it on purpose, but it was not unpurposely. So, it’s something in between.
“It started there, and obviously the next race Russell beats Verstappen to pole position. Max didn’t like that, and there’s a bit of a rivalry there. It’s always good as long as it stays fair and it seems to be staying fair so far because of the start in Canada was all fair and square.”
Russell raced to victory in Canada, pipping Verstappen to first place. However, Red Bull sought a punishment for the Mercedes driver when he seemed to slow under the safety car, prompting Verstappen to briefly overtake.
Red Bull, who were unsuccessful with their protest, insist that Verstappen played no part in the appeal. Team principal Christian Horner said: “No, not at all. Max was talking to you guys, and I had no idea. It’s within a competitor’s right to raise a protest. It’s 2,000 euros per protest, and we were surprised that they weren’t noted and sent to the stewards.
“Therefore, you have the right as a competitor to do that, and that’s what we’ve chosen to do, which is why Max and the guys are in front of the stewards now.”
Red Bull also raised concerns that some drivers may goad Verstappen into receiving the final penalty points he needs to meet the threshold of 12 and be slapped with a one-race ban. The 27-year-old, who raced Russell cleanly in Canada, must avoid punishment in Austria this weekend.
