Max Verstappen has expressed that he holds zero regrets over the late-race incident with George Russell that earned him a penalty in Formula 1‘s Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen was primed to achieve a comfortable podium behind the two McLarens in Barcelona when a Safety Car with 11 laps remaining caused his race to unravel.
Red Bull’s earlier choice to commit to the three-stop strategy in comparison to the more conventional two-stop meant Verstappen had to swap to the Hard compound.
That made the Dutchman vulnerable on the restart and a wide moment going onto the main straight enabled Charles Leclerc to breeze past the out-of-shape Red Bull.
However, Leclerc appeared to move into Verstappen’s path as the Ferrari stormed through and the pair made light contact, much to the Red Bull driver’s bewilderment.
“Honestly I don’t know what happened there,” Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week post-race.
“It was odd, because the move was almost done and suddenly he moved left, which could have been a big one.
“But was just really weird, don’t know what happened. I thought I was going to have a puncture as with the floor you can cut the tyre.”
Verstappen slams F1 racing guidelines
With Verstappen having resorted to the escape road when an opportunistic Russell dove down his inside at Turn 1, Red Bull recommended that he relinquish the spot.
But despite slowing down exiting Turn 4 on Lap 64 to open the door for Russell to overtake around the outside, Verstappen then clattered into the Mercedes at Turn 5.
When told Russell was worried that children had watched that, Verstappen quipped that he would “bring some tissues next time” as he critiqued the racing guidelines.
“Honestly I think the biggest issue that we have is just that the racing standards, what is allowed, what isn’t, is not very natural,” he explained.
“That is quite frustrating and, of course, sometimes it works for you sometimes it works against you and today that worked against me.”
Verstappen has no plans to talk to Russell
Verstappen revealed that he harbours no plans to hold a conversation with Russell, with whom he traded verbal blows with as the previous campaign came to a close.
Pressed on whether he would speak with Russell, the reigning F1 champion retorted: “No, not necessarily. I have nothing to say.”
Verstappen also dismissed that he was burdened with any remorse about what had transpired, adding: “In life you shouldn’t regret too many things, you only live once.”
READ MORE – George Russell: No other F1 driver would pull ‘fairly deliberate’ Max Verstappen move in Spain
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