George Russell has doubled down on his Formula 1 approach after the argument with Max Verstappen in the Azerbaijan sprint race. On the opening lap in Baku's sprint on Saturday, the fast-starting Russell barged past Verstappen at Turn 2, with further contact at Turn 3 leaving the Red Bull driver angry at the damage his RB19 sustained. He confronted Russell in parc ferme, and called him a "d***head" after Russell briefly described having 'no grip' at the start of the race. A week later in Miami, Russell, who finished fourth for Mercedes in the event, did not change his view on the contact.
Russell firm over Verstappen
"I'll continue racing the same way I always would," he told media, including RacingNews365.com , if he would change his style. "A lot has been said about the coming together, but from my side, it was pretty straightforward, I went for a move, got the move done and then moved on. "Obviously he was pretty upset about it, but that is racing, and these things happen. We're all here to fight - that's what F1 is about. "From my side, there is no air to clear. "I'll welcome and say hello to him if he passes by, and I'm sure we will shake hands when we bump into each other. "For me, it is history now, and yes, it is behind us. "My views on him are still the same. I still respect him, and he's a great driver. Things are always said in the heat of the moment, but we move on." Verstappen was also asked for his views on the incident in the press conference, and gave a short answer. "Terrible!," he joked when asked about relations with Russell. "Of course not, no. That's what people might like to hear, but no, it is absolutely fine."
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