Verstappen about Russell: "I think in a few years he can laugh"

According to Max Verstappen, he felt a bit sorry when he saw the Sakhir Grand Prix from his hotel room. George Russell could have won on his Mercedes debut but external factors prevented him from doing so.

"I always knew George would do a very good job because he’s a very talented driver, I’ve known that since we were kids. There is no surprise there," says Verstappen in front of Sky Sports' camera in Abu Dhabi.

Russell has bad luck

On two occasions the Williams driver in Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes car was very close to victory. The first time Mercedes blundered with the tyres in the pit lane and the second time the young Brit had a flat tyre.

“I felt sorry for him, of course, that he didn’t win the race because he did everything right from the start, but he will win his races anyway. I think in a few years he can laugh," is the expectation of the 23-year-old from Limburg who has even managed to win nine Grands Prix to date.