George Russell has no plans to hold clear-the-air talks with Max Verstappen following their row at last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen labelled Russell a “d***head” and “Princess George” after their clash in Baku, the two-time world champion remonstrating with his rival notably in the aftermath of the sprint race.
But going into this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Russell said the reaction was “said in the heat of the moment” and he had no plans to change his ways on track.
“There’s no air to be cleared,” said the Mercedes driver. “I’ll welcome and say hello to him… and I’m sure we’ll shake hands. For me, it’s history now.
“My views are still the same. I still think he’s a great driver. Things are always said in the heat of the moment but we move on.
“I’ll continue racing the same way I always would. A lot’s been said about the coming together but, from my side, it was pretty straightforward. He was pretty upset about it but that’s racing.
“These things happen. We’re here to fight and that’s what Formula One’s about.”
Russell had a difficult race in Baku. Despite finishing fourth in the sprint, he had to make do with eighth place in the grand prix after failing to make the final qualifying shootout. And he was critical along with much of the grid over the lack of overtaking opportunities.
“Formula One created these regulations to help overtaking and following,” Russell said. “The overtaking is slowly getting more difficult.
“We’re going to speak with the FIA and Formula One about this. We want to be able to race and fight as we did in go karts.”
