George Russell performs U-turn after Max Verstappen comments at Canadian GP

George Russell has U-turned on his comments about Max Verstappen ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The Mercedes star said remarks had been “taken out of context” after he opened up about racing with the double world champion.

It comes just weeks after the pair were embroiled in a heated feud at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. When asked what it was like racing Verstappen, Russell suggested there is a trio of drivers in F1 that he doesn’t trust.

Clarifying the comments, Russell told RacingNews365: “It was something taken a little bit out of context when asked how it was racing with Max and if he is less aggressive and whether I enjoy racing with him or not.

“I said I enjoy racing, or more comfortable racing the very best guys in the business, more so than some of the others who don’t have the spatial awareness of the greatest ones on the grid. Every single driver on this grid is an extremely talented driver and everyone has won in their respective categories on their journey.

“But clearly, there are two or three drivers who are a cut above the rest.” Russell has not revealed details on the three drivers but has suggested Verstappen was not one of them.

He said the Dutchman has been “less aggressive” in 2023 due to the dominance of his Red Bull car. Ahead of the race in Montreal, the 25-year-old said: “[There are] maybe three drivers on the grid who you wouldn’t feel comfortable going against.

“There’s a trust between most of the drivers. I don’t think [those three unnamed racers] have the spatial awareness of others.

“So, actually you prefer fighting hard against the great drivers because you know that they’re going to be able to control their car better and place it in hard positions but not dangerous positions comparing with somebody who maybe isn’t at the same level as the best.”

The remarks come just weeks after Russell and Verstappen clashed at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Russell made contact with Verstappen’s car on the inside of turn two during Saturday’s sprint race with the Red Bull star left furious.

Verstappen approached Russell in the pitlane for talks with the two sharing a heated exchange where the Dutch star branded the Mercedes driver a “d***head”.