Max Verstappen criticises George Russell and British F1 media, calling penalty talk childish ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Max Verstappen remained visibly frustrated yesterday when speaking to the media, particularly the British press.
After securing second place on the starting grid in Canada, the Dutchman was teased by George Russell over his penalty points. The Mercedes F1 driver pointed out that he had fewer points and could therefore afford to be more aggressive toward his rival.
After refusing to elaborate during the press conference, Verstappen was pressed again by journalists in the paddock.
“I said it, it’s just childish. And I also said, it’s a waste of time to keep asking me about it.”
“They probably don’t have anything better to ask, I don’t know. I’m not going to say much more either, but… it’s just very irritating and I’m not here for that. It’s really not fun and that’s why I’m always looking forward to finishing my media duties. I want to watch Le Mans.”
When asked if Russell’s comments played a role in his frustration, Verstappen denied it, instead pointing to his annoyance with the British press.
“Childish, again, but none of it really matters to me. I’m just here to perform and give my best for the team. Then I go home. That kind of comment from the British media is just as childish. I don’t want to waste too much time on it.”
Now it’s time to focus on the race. Is his car suited for long runs in Canada?
“It was decent during Friday practice. I was quite happy with the car. We just need to take care of the tyres. There was some graining for everyone, so we’ll try to manage that, even with the milder temperatures.”
After qualifying, Verstappen said he was aiming for a solid race. What does that mean exactly?
“I think being on the podium, trying to be as competitive as possible, trying to get the most out of the car. But I don’t know. We’ll probably only know after the race if we managed to do that. But yes, I hope we can just manage the tyres well.”
After Spain, he seemed a bit pessimistic about his title chances. Was that just an emotional reaction? And after a day like yesterday, does he feel he’s still in the fight?
“No, I’m just taking it race by race. I don’t really worry about it. Even when I was in the title race or leading, you don’t constantly think about it. You just have to take it race by race. You always have to maximise performance. Do your best.”
To what extent is this potential strong performance in Canada due to upgrades to the car, and how much is down to his own driving?
“Well, the car is the same as in Barcelona, but I think the team did a great job. When we arrived, the car was immediately in the right window. From a setup perspective, I think the team did a very good job.”
“And then, of course, you need to fine-tune the small details and choose the right tyres for qualifying. But overall, I’m quite happy with the car, which has been a bit more unpredictable this season. We also need to focus on overall performance, which may be lacking at times.”
“But sometimes, we’re also trying to improve the balance of the car. So those are two different things. But this weekend, I feel good, and that’s also why I’m honestly very happy to be in this position after qualifying.”
