Max Verstappen’s high risk of incurring a ban will make him more likely to take risks when fighting his rivals, not less, George Russell believes.
The pair will share the front row of the grid for today’s Canadian Grand Prix. Verstappen is racing under the threat of incurring an automatic one-race ban if he collects another penalty point on his licence, after he made contact with Russell at the last round in Spain.
Verstappen has said the threat of a ban will not lead him to be more cautious when fighting his rivals for position. Russell thinks it is likely to have the opposite effect on his rival.
“I don’t think any driver goes out looking to crash into somebody and get penalty points on your licence,” said Russell during yesterday’s press conference after qualifying.
“Max is one of the best drivers. There’s no reason for him to race any differently, and I’m not sitting here thinking he’s going to give us more room. If anything, probably the opposite to try and prove a point.
“So I’ll be keeping an eye [out], but ultimately, we’re all here to win. You’re not going to do something that’s going to jeopardise yourself from the race.”
Russell also believes the impact of a race ban is less significant for a driver due to the length of the modern grand prix calendar.
“It’s a busy season as well,” he said. “If you get a race ban, you get a race ban and spend some time at home. It’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world.”
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Oscar Piastri, who will start third behind the pair, said he’s “not going to race any differently” with Verstappen. “I’m not going to take any less risk, any more risk,” he said. “I’m certainly not going to do anything different. I’ll race as I always race.”
Penalty points before Canadian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen
| Date | Event | Session | Infringement | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/6/2024 | Austrian Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘Collision between Car 1 and Car 4 in turn 3.’ | 2 |
| 27/10/2024 | Mexican Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘Forcing another driver off the track.’ | 2 |
| 2/11/2024 | Brazilian Grand Prix | Sprint race | ‘The driver was above the minimum time at VSC End.’ | 1 |
| 1/12/2024 | Qatar Grand Prix | Qualifying | ‘Car 1 drove unnecessarily slowly on a cool down lap.’ | 1 |
| 8/12/2024 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘Car 1 caused a collision with Car 81 in turn 1.’ | 2 |
| 1/6/2025 | Spanish Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘Car 1 collided with Car 63 at turn 5.’ | 3 |
George Russell
| Date | Event | Session | Infringement | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12/2024 | Qatar Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘The driver of Car 63 failed to maintain a 10 car-length distance behind the Safety’ | 1 |
Oscar Piastri
| Date | Event | Session | Infringement | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/11/2024 | Brazilian Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘Causing a collision with car 30 in turn 1.’ | 2 |
| 8/12/2024 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Grand prix | ‘Car 81 caused a collision with Car 43 before turn 6.’ | 2 |
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