George Russell overtook Max Verstappen in controversial fashion in Azerbaijan’s sprint race and the incident left the two-time world champion so infuriated that, in a heated face-to-face encounter caught on camera, he called his rival a “d—head”.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez claimed the first sprint race victory of the season at the Baku City Circuit on Saturday night (AEST), chalking up the maximum eight points on offer as Charles Leclerc took second and Verstappen third.
As Perez celebrated with his team, Verstappen and Russell were spotted in a heated argument over a moment that occurred on turn three of the first of 17 laps.
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Replays confirmed that Russell made contact with Verstappen’s Red Bull and caused the Dutchman to thump into the wall, leaving a huge hole in his sidepod.
Verstappen raged over team radio, slamming Russell’s overtake as “ridiculous” and insisting the Mercedes driver must be reported.
“I don’t understand how he can keep the position; he is damaging my car,” Verstappen added.
“I had no grip,” Russell told Verstappen after the race.
“Mate, we all have no grip,” Verstappen shot back.
“We all need to give a little bit of space.”
“I know, I know,” Russell said as he walked away.
“But expect it next time, the same, you know,” Verstappen added.
He was then heard calling Russell a “d—head” under his breath.
“No, it’s not clarified,” Verstappen told Sky Sports moments later.
“I just don’t understand why you need to take so much risk on lap one. Understeered into my sidepod, created a hole.
“We all have cold tyres, it’s easy to lock up.
“His beautiful way of explaining … It doesn’t make sense.”
Russell continued to defend his move in an interview with Sky Sports.
“There were a lot of ‘f–ks’ and what not from his side, but I mean, from my side, my corner, I was quite surprised he was resisting it (the pass) so much,” Russell said.
“I’m here to fight, the move was on … Ever since we were in go karts at the age of eight, if you’re on the inside of a corner at the apex, it’s your corner, and if you’re trying to hold on the outside you know the risk you’re taking … I was ahead of him at the apex, tried giving him room at the exit.
“I was quite surprised and not expecting this reaction afterwards.
“But from our side the moves were all on.”
As Verstappen vented over team radio, a strange moment saw AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda understeer into the wall at turn 14, sprawling debris over the circuit.
The Japanese driver’s right-rear tyre even fell off and rolled, and rolled, and rolled, down the track, leading to the deployment of a virtual safety car, and a real safety car shortly after.
Mechanics attempted to repair Tsunoda’s car, and despite being unsuccessful in their efforts, returned him to the track.
“The wheel is askew, the rear-right (wheel), he’s got suspension damage there, the car’s crabbing along,” said Sky Sports commentator Karun Chandhok.
“The team need to be told (to) to just get him off the track, get him into the run-off area, clear the track.
“We need to go racing here.”
The stewards summoned Tsunoda and AlphaTauri for an alleged unsafe release of his car.
Ferrari’s Leclerc will start on pole in the main race on Sunday night (AEST).
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