Mercedes driver George Russell revealed that he ran into Max Verstappen and the Red Bull driver’s newborn daughter, Lily, at the airport soon after their dramatic incident at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. The crash occurred on lap 64 of the 66-lap race when Verstappen collided with Russell’s Mercedes.
The collision resulted in Verstappen receiving a 10-second time penalty, which pushed him down the order to finish in 10th place. Meanwhile, Russell managed to secure a strong fourth-place finish behind Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri.
Reflecting on their airport encounter before the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell commented:
“We bumped into each other at the airport on Sunday morning when I was going to Roland Garros. To be honest, I totally forgot about Barcelona because he was there with his newborn [baby], and we were at the security machine. He just had a quick chat and then he was busy folding the pram down to put it through the machine.” —George Russell, Sky F1
With nine races completed in the 2025 Formula 1 season, Verstappen currently holds third place in the drivers’ championship with 137 points, while Russell is close behind in fourth with 111 points.
Russell’s View on Verstappen’s Aggressive Driving During the Barcelona Incident
In the same interview with Sky F1, Russell also addressed the nature of Verstappen’s driving during their clash in Spain. The British driver suggested that Verstappen was attempting to intimidate him rather than deliberately cause a crash.
Russell explained:
“That’s why I believe he wasn’t intentionally trying to crash into me. He was just trying to get his elbows out and show who’s boss. But he got it wrong. Jos [Verstappen’s father] is the boss! I’m going to continue racing exactly the same way because at the end of the day that’s what I did last week and I benefited from it.” —George Russell, Sky F1
Russell’s comments hint at the competitive tension between the drivers while signaling his determination to maintain his approach on track.
Russell Takes Leadership Role at Mercedes Following Hamilton’s Departure
As the lead driver for the Mercedes Formula 1 team this year, George Russell now carries the primary responsibility for the team’s performance after the exit of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at the end of 2024. This transition has placed considerable pressure on Russell to deliver consistent and strong results throughout the season.
Mercedes’ rookie team member Andrea Kimi Antonelli, still adapting to Formula 1, has faced challenges, including a retirement in the Spanish Grand Prix. Antonelli currently ranks seventh in the championship standings with 48 points.
Looking Ahead: Russell Aims for Podium at Canadian Grand Prix
With the Canadian Grand Prix marking the 10th round of the season, George Russell hopes to build on his solid fourth-place finish in Barcelona by securing a spot on the podium. This goal aligns with his ambition to strengthen his position as Mercedes’ leading driver and close the gap to top competitors like Verstappen and Leclerc.
The outcome of this race could further influence the dynamics in the championship battle as the 2025 season progresses.