George Russell has expressed his surprise and appreciation for Max Verstappen taking accountability for their collision during the Spanish Grand Prix. This incident has added another layer of intrigue to the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.

The Incident in Barcelona

Verstappen, the reigning world champion, found himself in hot water after a controversial move during the Spanish Grand Prix. The Dutch driver was penalized with a 10-second penalty and three license points for deliberately hitting Russell's car. This incident not only cost Verstappen a potential podium finish but also brought him one step closer to a race ban.

Russell, who benefited from Verstappen's mistake, stated, "His actions cost him, and they benefited me. So, I should be almost thanking him. But it's good to see that he took accountability, which I was a bit surprised."

Verstappen's Perspective

Verstappen admitted on social media that his move was "not right and shouldn't have happened." He described the incident as a misjudgment, emphasizing that everyone makes mistakes. However, he remains unfazed by the potential of a race ban, vowing to continue racing as aggressively as ever.

The Stakes in Canada

The Canadian Grand Prix this weekend is crucial for Verstappen. If he accumulates one more license point, he will face a race ban. Russell believes that such a ban would be justified, stating, "If he gets his 12 points, it wouldn't be unjust, you know. So that's literally why it's there."

Russell's Strategy

Russell plans to leverage Verstappen's precarious position to his advantage. "We have to be smart and use it to our advantage," he said. "I'm going to continue racing exactly the same because at the end of the day, that's what I did last week and I benefited from it."

A Chance Encounter

Interestingly, Russell and Verstappen had a chance meeting at Nice airport, where they briefly discussed the incident. Russell mentioned that Verstappen was preoccupied with his newborn, which momentarily took the focus off their on-track rivalry.

Conclusion

As the F1 circus moves to Montreal, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Russell. Will Verstappen manage to avoid further penalties, or will Russell capitalize on his rival's missteps? The Canadian Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling chapter in this ongoing rivalry.