Max Verstappen’s hypocrisy highlighted by Martin Brundle after he complained about George Russell move

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen won the Sprint race at the United States Grand Prix on Saturday. He saw off a brief assault from George Russell to take a key victory.

Verstappen was expecting to battle the two McLaren drivers, but Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris crashed and sustained terminal damage. With Nico Hulkenberg also involved, Russell stormed through from fifth to second.

Following the safety car period, Verstappen looked vulnerable. Russell, who chewed through his battery, attempted a move at the end of the DRS straight.

Both drivers ended up in the run-off, a repeat of Verstappen’s controversial battle with Norris at this race last year. The Red Bull driver held the lead, and Russell’s challenge fell away.

Max Verstappen complained about the exact move he makes himself, Martin Brundle says

Verstappen was critical of Russell over the radio, asking engineer Gianpiero Lambiase: “Mate, what is that? He completely missed the corner.”

Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle was unimpressed by that message. He pointed out that Verstappen has attempted ‘big dives’ before.

He also saluted Russell for a ‘great attempt’ to snatch P1. Unfortunately for the newly re-signed Mercedes driver, he locked up.

“Isn’t that the sort of thing Max does, and the thing we love him for – a big dive?” Brundle said. “It’s motor racing.

“He just locked the inside front tyre, which took him wide. As soon as you put some angle into the steering wheel, you just loosen up that inside tyre. But I thought it was a great attempt to take the lead, frankly.”

The stewards more or less agreed with Brundle’s verdict, electing not to take any action after noting the incident.

Where Mercedes really stand on partnering George Russell with Max Verstappen

The tension between Russell and Verstappen has cooled this year after an explosive row at the end of last season. They did make contact at the Spanish GP, which resulted in a penalty for the world champion.

Russell feared he could lose his seat to Verstappen if Toto Wolff was successful in signing his dream target. The threat has only temporarily receded.

But Wolff also has other targets in mind. Mercedes are interested in Charles Leclerc, who could leave Ferrari at the end of next year.

And if that happens, it’s more likely that Kimi Antonelli loses his seat, with the relationship between Russell and Leclerc likely to be much more stable.