It was not right – Max Verstappen takes blame for crash with George Russell

Max Verstappen has issued a veiled apology for his wild crash with George Russell by admitting it “was not right and should have not happened”.

The four-time world champion was hit with a 10-second penalty by the stewards for causing a collision with Russell with two laps remaining of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Russell said he felt Verstappen’s move was deliberate and accused the Red Bull driver of letting himself down. He also suggested that Verstappen should have been disqualified for the crash.

A post shared by Max Verstappen (@maxverstappen1)

Verstappen refused to accept blame for the coming together after the race and even sarcastically offered Russell a tissue after he was informed of his British rival’s criticism.

However, in a message posted on social media on Monday, Verstappen said: “We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out.

“Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened.

“I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you (at the next race) in Montreal.”

Verstappen, who was on the slower hard tyre compound, lost third place to Charles Leclerc after he opened the door to the Ferrari driver when he made a mistake on the exit of the final corner in a six-lap shootout to the flag following the deployment of a safety car.

A dramatic restart!