Christian Horner believes that Max Verstappen lost around seven tenths per lap due to the damage caused by the contact with George Russell. The pair clashed on the opening lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint race, with Russell attempting to pass on the inside at Turn 3 for the podium spot. Verstappen was on the outside when the two collided, causing Russell's front wing to puncture a hole in the sidepod of the Red Bull. While the Dutchman could get back past him and eventually finish in P3, Horner believes the damage prevented him from challenging Leclerc at the end for P2. "It's difficult to quantify but it's got to be, when you see it all on the bodywork, three quarters of a second per-lap at least," said Horner to Sky Sports . "Then there is other complications with temperatures going out of control because the air is not running through the side pods as it's designed to." The pair were seen post-race in Parc Ferme having a heated exchange , in which Verstappen branded Russell a "d***head" for the move.
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