George Russell is torn regarding Max Verstappen’s criticism of the current Formula 1. But he hopes the Dutchman does not turn his back on the sport. “Formula 1 is bigger than any driver. But you don’t want to lose Max Verstappen, I want to race against him.”
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Verstappen’s complaints about the current regulations and driving style would, according to Russell, not exist if the Dutchman himself were currently driving a winning car. The Brit had expressed that feeling before, but he repeated it on Friday in an online press conference from Mercedes. Verstappen, on the other hand, has repeatedly emphasized that his complaints have nothing to do with the results.
Russell does not want to accept that. “I had problems with ‘porpoising’ in 2022, the car bouncing. It was certainly not pleasant to drive. But Max did not have such problems at the time and did not complain; he was not bothered by it and was winning. The complaints he has now are not the complaints of us as Mercedes or McLaren and Ferrari. Because now we are at the front.”
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Still, there is understanding. “I do understand and recognize his frustration,” Russell continues. He says he approaches this season differently, he wants to chase that first title and that is a different starting point than Verstappen has. “Because Max has meanwhile already achieved what others can only dream of: becoming champion. He even has four titles, so maybe he has reached a point where there is little left to win for him.”
Whether Verstappen stays in Formula 1 or not is, according to the Brit, another question. Russell says he hopes so. Or as he sums it up: “I would understand if he leaves, but also if he stays.”
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