The headline-grabbing event from the sprint race in Baku is just one single occurrence. We are obviously referring to Max Verstappen and George Russell colliding on the first lap, something the former wasn't too happy about. During Parc Ferme, Verstappen expressed his rage towards Russell after the race.
The post-sprint race interviews for both drivers centred on their altercation. Russell was not aware of Verstappen's intent to engage in conflict. The Mercedes worker was practically threatened by the Dutchman to "expect the same" in the future. During the post-sprint race debrief, as seen on Twitter, journalist Will Buxton criticised Verstappen for his response.
Buxton spoke for everyone when he said, “It’s a bit rich, isn’t it of himself? You know, Max Verstappen saying a driver’s taking some unnecessary risks. Max has made a career out of putting in gutsy moves, getting his elbows out. You know, getting down and dirty, running wheel to wheel with people. He’s fought drivers hard his entire career but he doesn’t like being raced hard himself. Particularly not when he’s fighting for a championship and I think that really showed today.”
For his actions, the Dutchman is not the only one receiving criticism. Fans and industry professionals also think Verstappen is incorrect to blame Russell exclusively. The Dutchman, though, is dismissing Russell's explanation and remaining solid in his judgement of the issue.
“I don’t understand why you need to take so much risk on lap one, understeer into my sidepod, create a hole. We all have cold tyres and it is easy to lock-up. His [Russell] beautiful way of explaining it. It doesn’t make sense,” confessed Verstappen to the media.
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