George Russell says he has “no intention” of talking to Max Verstappen to clear the air following their row on the finish of final season.
The Briton mentioned Verstappen “can’t take care of adversity” after the Pink Bull driver mentioned he had “misplaced all respect for him” following a was penalised for impeding Russell on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Russell mentioned on the F1 75 occasion at London’s O2 Area on Tuesday that he and Verstappen ‘hadn’t spoken” over the winter.
“I’ve obtained no intentions (to), to be trustworthy,” the Mercedes driver mentioned in an interview with BBC Sport.
“That occurred final 12 months. I wish to deal with myself. Issues obtained out of line final 12 months. That was then. We’re not going to return to being greatest mates, that is for certain.”
The spat ended final 12 months on a bitter be aware for the 2 drivers, who’ve had earlier run-ins in earlier seasons.
Requested whether or not he had issues concerning the state of affairs, Russell mentioned: “No issues about him or his driving. I’m not going to alter my strategy preventing him or different drivers.”
Verstappen is because of converse to the media afterward Tuesday, earlier than the dwell present on the O2, which begins at 20:00 GMT.
Russell additionally expressed his opinions concerning the choice by governing physique the FIA to codify a system that might result in drivers being banned for race officers.
The 27-year-old, who’s a director of F1 drivers’ physique the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation, mentioned: “It is going fairly far. As drivers we now have to proceed to point out our personalities. We do not wish to be in a bubble. That is fairly apparent.
“There’s advantage in saying you should not swear in an atmosphere like this (a information convention). However when it is not your first language the primary phrases you get taught are the swear phrases.”
Final 12 months, Verstappen was ordered to do a type of motorsport neighborhood service after swearing in a information convention on the Singapore Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion responded by in an official FIA information convention the next day and talking to journalists exterior the room.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri mentioned: “Within the automotive, we’re in our zone and naturally we’re going to say issues within the warmth of the second and never politically appropriate, however out of that state of affairs we’re function fashions and we must be setting an instance.
“Whether or not that requires a giant financial nice to remind us of that? A speaking to might be sufficient. I see it each methods and I’ll attempt to preserve myself out of hassle.”
On the weekend, world rally driver Adrien Fourmaux turned the primary driver punished below the brand new ruling.
He was fined 10,000 euros (£8,300), with an additional 20,000 euros (£16,600) suspended, for swearing in a TV interview after a particular stage.
Final week, Williams drivers each mentioned it was mistaken to threaten drivers with bans for swearing – however agreed that drivers ought to watch their language out of the automotive.
