Russell 'surprised' Verstappen took responsibility for crash

MONTREAL - George Russell says he was caught off guard by Max Verstappen's reaction after the reigning champion crashed into him at the Spanish Grand Prix.

"I was a bit surprised to see him taking responsibility," Russell said Thursday. "It was quite unlike him."

Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty and three penalty points for the incident. He said a day later that frustration had gotten the better of him and the move was "not right and shouldn't have happened."

Russell said he saw the Red Bull superstar earlier this week at the airport, though they didn't discuss the collision.

"Look, there's nothing from my side we need to talk about," the Mercedes driver said. "Had I been taken out of the race, I'd be feeling very differently for sure. Ultimately, his actions benefited me (and) cost him. I should say, 'Thanks.'"

Some pundits called for Verstappen's disqualification, but Russell felt the penalty fit the crime.

"I want to believe that he didn't intentionally try to crash into me because that would be pretty bonkers," Russell said. "I think he just tried to show who was boss and put his elbows out and just got it wrong."

He added: "I think anything more of a penalty than what he received would have been a bit much, but that all depends if it was intentionally or not."

Verstappen enters the Canadian Grand Prix one penalty point away from a race ban.