Russell corrects Verstappen: 'A bit pathetic'

George Russell cannot quite resist leaving Max Verstappen alone in Miami. While he remained tidy at the press conference, in conversation with Sky Sports he appears to be a bit tougher.

The clash between Russell and Verstappen in Baku during the F1 Sprint. You could write a book about it by now, as the drivers have been asked about it several times. Once again in Miami, but the two drivers seemed to have buried the hatchet. While Russell indicated that he would not adjust his driving style, he still had a lot of respect for Verstappen. Verstappen also felt that they could put it behind them.

Russell hasn't forgotten after all

Yet Russell appears to be a bit more off the mark a press moment later with the British medium. ''It was all a bit pathetic,'' says Russell when asked about Verstappen's 'd******d' remark. ''I think something you learn as a kid is if you're going to give something you've got to be willing to take it as well.''

The hard racing Russell refers to is something Verstappen, in his view, has done to others for years. ''He's had his fair share of giving moves like that and being tough and hard at racing and it's a little bit poor to see how he sort of spat his dummy out when it was the first time he probably got something back in the same regard,'' the Mercedes driver said.

With Russell's statements, the hatchet seems far from being buried from the Mercedes camp. Verstappen is trying to do just that and, as always, puts the criticism aside. Yet some Englishmen are backing him. Damon Hill, for example, already sided with Verstappen because damage to the sidepod is over the limit.