Max Verstappen confronts George Russell and launches furious rant after collision

The Red Bull double world champion was fuming with Mercedes driver Russell after damage to Verstappen’s car following a first-lap collision in Baku

Max Verstappen launched a furious rant at George Russell after the pair collided on the first lap of the sprint race in Azerbaijan.

Russell, starting in fourth, launched himself down the inside at turn two on the opening lap – and the pair touched.

Russell took third place a corner later, with Verstappen livid and making his feelings known over team radio.

The Dutchman did take back the position after a safety car shortly after, but with a huge hole in the sidepod of the Red Bull, Verstappen confronted Russell in parc ferme straight after the race finished.

Russell said: “It wasn’t on purpose, I had no grip,” with Verstappen replying: “Mate we all have no grip.”

The Dutchman added: “You need to give a little more space,” and Russell responded: “Watch the onboard!”

As Russell walked away, Verstappen called Russell a “d*******,” adding: “Don’t expect it next time!”

Sergio Perez claimed the maximum eight points after winning the sprint, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second.

Verstappen said in his post-race interview: “It’s not clarified. I don’t understand why you have to take so much risk, put a hole in my car.

“We all have cold tyres, ‘ah mate locked up, look at the onboard’... it doesn’t make sense. It is what it is.

“There’s a hole in the sidepod. Doesn’t look that great. We’ll focus on tomorrow.”

Russell said later in the media pen: “There’s a lot of efffs from his side. I was on the inside, quite surprised he resisted it so much. We’re here to fight.

“If you’re trying to hold on the outside, you know the risk you’re taking.

“We’re all here to fight, that’s racing sometimes when you’re pushing the limits. He’s got a lot more to lose than me.

“I was quite surprised and wasn’t expecting this reaction... I wouldn’t have tried to hold it around the outside on lap one of a street circuit. Hopefully he’s learnt the risk today.”