Russell challenges Verstappen's Madring verdict: 'We're all quite selfish'
Photo: Race Pictures
10:45, 14 Sep
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Mercedes' George Russell wants changes to the Madring circuit layout after an uneventful Spanish GP, but is wary of Max Verstappen's calls for more driver input on track design, arguing F1 stars are "all quite selfish."
Russell, who finished P5 at the Spanish GP, is not the only driver to call out the lack of overtaking opportunities at the all-new semi-street circuit in Madrid, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto joking that he "almost fell asleep" during the action.
During Saturday's post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen was asked by GPblog what had to be fixed to improve the Madring's racing spectacle. "Almost all the braking zones. Give me a map and I’ll sort it,” the Dutchman jokingly replied.
On a more serious note, the four-time world champion called for more driver input when it comes to circuit design. Verstappen said: “Well, you can always ask, right? You can always ask once: ‘What do you think of this layout?’ I don’t want to go into details, because there are different track designers. I sometimes talk with one person about circuits. A driver knows very well what a good corner looks like."
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Russell disagrees with Verstappen after 'quite selfish' claim
Photo: Race Pictures
Speaking to media, including GPblog, following a dull race on Sunday, Mercedes' Russell was asked whether he had any solutions for the lack of overtaking at the Madring, before revealing he had a sore head from 57 laps of the new track.
"I don't know. They need to do something," Russell responded. "They need to make a change because every track needs to have an overtaking opportunity after a bit of a straight. This one has a tight chicane and the corners. It's a real challenge, but it's not pleasant. After 60 laps, smashing those kerbs, my head was a bit sore by the end."
Quizzed on Verstappen's earlier calls for more driver input on track design, Russell agreed with his Red Bull rival, but warned his fellow drivers can be "quite selfish" and too busy to be "bothered". The Silver Arrows driver also cited an overall problem with the Madring layout.
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"Yes, but we're all quite selfish, and nobody can be bothered to give their time," Russell added. "We've got busy schedules, and there's a lot of limitations there when you actually look at the layout. There's not really much you can do."
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