LAP 25/50 RUSSELL AND VERSTAPPEN MAKE CONTACT! Russell has front wing damage! #LasVegasGP #F1
Verstappen & Russell Collide And Cause Safety Car At Las Vegas Grand Prix
F1Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 08:11
Updated at Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 12:27
Max Verstappen was part of another hard fight during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, when he collided with George Russell.
On the first lap of the race, the Dutch driver pushed Charles Leclerc off the track, and soon after that, the Red Bull's driver received a five-second time penalty, which he later served in the box.
After his pitstop, Verstappen fell down the order, and had to fight back to regain his position, as a safety care after Lando Norris' crash also helped some of the drivers to improve their position.
But the Las Vegas Strip Circuit was always going to be unpredictable for the drivers, and after the first-lap incident, which luckily didn't result in a crash, the Flying Dutchman found himself in another fight, but this time one that left a lot of debris on the track.
Mercedes 63 driver was having a good race, one that could have finished on the podium positions, as he fought for the fourth place with Verstappen, with some of the drivers in front of them having to pit yet.
However, with the Dutch driver already serving a five-second penalty and being quite a lot behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, whom he wanted to challenge for the win, he didn't want to wait around with the move on Russell, and pulled it out on Lap 25.
But the British driver probably didn't expect Verstappen to dive down his inside, or simply didn't see the Dutchman, as Russell turned into Car No. 1, which left a lot of debris on the track. Immediately, the 2023 World Drivers' Championship winner complained on his radio.
"Mate, he just turned in on me. Check my tyre, front wing!"
Verstappen's complaints were echoed by the race director, as Russell received a five-second time penalty. Moreover, the safety car had to come onto the track, benefitting Sergio Perez, who was yet to pit and gained many positions, challenging Leclerc for the lead.
POPULAR NEWS
Horner Believes Ferrari Might Be 'Revitalization' For Hamilton Who Has Been 'Looking Flat'
Lawson Shares Details Of Super Awkward Yet Funny Moment Between Verstappen And Russell
Vasseur Plans To Treat Hamilton Differently Than Mercedes: 'Don't Want To Do Copy-Paste'
Complete 2025 F1 Driver Lineup: Team Overviews And All Essential Stats
Vasseur Suggests It 'Was Not Difficult' To Convince Hamilton To Join Ferrari
