George Russell Reacts To Max Verstappen Collision: 'Totally Didn't See Him'
F1Monday, 20 November 2023 at 06:00
Mercedes driver George Russell explained the collision with Max Verstappen at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix from his point of view.
George Russell started the inaugural race at Las Vegas Strip Circuit from the third position on the grid after a great qualifying session and moving up one position because of Sainz's grid position penalty.
The Mercedes driver showed a great pace and seemed to be on his way to finishing on the podium, but his efforts were destroyed after a collision with Max Verstappen. Russell told the media after the race:
"It was pretty straightforward [during the race] until the incident with Max. I just totally didn't see him in the blind spot. I wasn’t expecting an overtake. I wasn't even really fighting him because we knew that Max wasn’t in our race."
Verstappen went for an overtake on Russell into turn 14 but ended up colliding into the side of the Mercedes car that turned into him. Russell thinks he would have achieved a podium if it weren't for the collision.
"We just had to keep the tyres alive. It was a comfortable podium just thrown away once again. This season has been really disappointing and very frustrating. Now heading to Abu Dhabi. [there's] only a few points between us and Ferrari (four)."
The Mercedes lost points to their main Construstors' Championship rival Ferrari which is now only four points behind heading into the last race of the season.
Russell's collision with the Red Bull driver triggered a safety car. Which meant the whole grid got back together and Russell lost all his time advantage on drivers behind.
The 25-year-old said: "If it wasn't for the Safety Car, we would have continued and would have got onto the podium."
The British driver summed up the race and his whole season with the same words as Esteban Ocon did after a failed qualifying session on Saturday, saying he "can’t really catch a break."
"I don't really know what to say, I'm just really frustrated [for the race], and [for] the season, I can’t really catch a break."
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