Jos is the boss not Max, says George Russell of Verstappen clash

MONTREAL – George Russell said Max Verstappen tried to show who was the boss when they collided in Spain two weeks ago, but the scare tactics backfired.

The Mercedes Formula One driver told British reporters ahead of the 10th round of the season in Montreal that he did not think Red Bull's four-time world champion had tried to deliberately ram him.

“He was just trying to get his elbows out and show who’s boss. He got it wrong. Jos is the boss,” said the Briton, jokingly referring to Verstappen’s father, who enjoyed that nickname while racing.

Verstappen collected three penalty points and was also demoted from fifth to 10th in the race.

He now stands one point from a mandatory race ban.

The incident remained a talking point at the Canadian Grand Prix, where the pair lined up together on the front row in 2024 and could be going wheel-to-wheel again on June 15.

Verstappen recognised after Spain that the move was “not right and shouldn’t have happened” but Russell, who finished fourth in Barcelona, said he was not looking for an apology.

“I don’t think he needs to apologise to me for my side,” he said.

“His actions cost him and they benefited me. So I should be almost thanking him.

“But it’s good to see that he took accountability, which I was a bit surprised (about).”

“I think he wanted to just sort of scare me a bit but he just misjudged it. It wasn’t going to scare me, it was just all a bit surprising.”

Russell recognised he might also be able to turn the situation to his advantage if Verstappen had to be mindful of suspension.

“This weekend if I see him on track, I’m racing the same. I want to win. I’m not going to give him any more space or anything,” he said.

Russell said he had spoken briefly with his Dutch rival, after they “bumped into each other” at the airport when the Briton was flying to Paris to attend the French Open tennis final.

“He was there with his newborn (daughter) and we were at the security machine,” he said.

“We just had a quick chat and then he was busy folding the pram down to put it through the machine.”

Russell spoke in Spain of his concern about the effect on young racers of Verstappen’s driving, prompting the Dutchman to tell reporters he would “bring some tissues” next time.

“That was quite funny, to be fair,” said the Briton, grinning. “I did have a giggle there.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton launched a passionate defence of Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur on June 12 and said that the Frenchman was key to his move to Maranello and his hopes for future Formula One success.

Ferrari are second overall, but have yet to win in nine races this season and there has been media speculation in Italy that Vasseur could be replaced, a suggestion the team have dismissed.

“It’s definitely not nice to hear that there are stories like that out there,” said seven-time world champion Hamilton ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

“Firstly, I love working with Fred. Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team and I got the opportunity to be here, which I’m forever grateful for. And we’re in this together.

“Things aren’t perfect but for me, I’m here to work with the team but also with Fred. I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.”

The Briton said he would also be racing for Ferrari for “several years”, addressing separate speculation that he might be considering retirement.

“I’m here for the long haul,” he added. “There is no question where my head’s at and what I’m working towards achieving for this team. So there’s zero doubts.”

Ferrari have not won a championship since the 2008 constructors’ title and Hamilton is seeking a record eighth after missing out controversially to Verstappen in the final race of 2021.

He joined from Mercedes in January and has yet to stand on the podium in the red overalls, although he did win a sprint race in Shanghai in March – a highlight of Ferrari’s season.

In Spain two weeks ago, the 40-year-old finished only sixth and was overtaken by Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, who was a surprise fifth.

Hamilton said after that race that his Ferrari was the worst it had ever been. But it emerged afterwards that both he and teammate Charles Leclerc’s cars had undisclosed issues that were affecting handling.

“It was a bit of a relief to hear that,” he said. REUTERS