George Russell and Max Verstappen shaking hands after the Sprint - Photo: Race Pictures

Russell has no regrets over his bold attempt on Verstappen

21:43, 18 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

George Russell doesn't regret going for an ambitious move on Max Verstappen, he explained after the Sprint.

After Oscar Piastri first made contact with Nico Hulkenberg and as a result collided with Lando Norris, Russell became Verstappen's chaser at the Circuit of the Americas.

The Briton could stay close to his rival after the Safety Car restart, and went for a move a couple of laps later into Turn 12, but he could not make it stick, leaving the track in the process.

He said: "I saw Max was struggling a little bit and I was just giving it absolutely everything.

"I knew that I would probably deg a little bit more whereas when you're in the lead, you're probably trying to manage the tyres a bit better."

Russell 'glad' he went for it

The Mercedes driver, who signed a contract extension ahead of this weekend, then explained why he went for the maneouvre.

"He had a bit of a snap out of the previous corner, so I just thought, you know what, this is my only chance. There was a nice headwind in that corner, so I thought I could make it stick.

"I was too far back but I'm glad I tried it as opposed to just sitting there and still finishing in the same place," he concluded.

After the attempt, Russell could not keep the pressure up on Verstappen. Together with Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes duo gained eight points in the battle for second place in the constructors' standings behind champions McLaren.

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