Having called George Russell a “d*ckhead” on live television, world champion Max Verstappen then upped the ante by also describing the Mercedes driver as a “princess”. Red Bull’s Verstappen was furious about finishing only third in the Baku sprint race – a format he already despises – with sidepod damage caused by the Russell clash. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz sensed that the incident between Verstappen and Russell was “personal”, especially as the Dutchman remained furious some time later. Verstappen admits the way Russell handled the confrontation in parc ferme certainly irritated him. Russell insisted he did nothing wrong, and that as world championship leader Verstappen should have been more careful about taking a risk by remaining on the outside.

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