Russell: I'd understand if Max walked from F1

GEORGE Russell admitted he would “understand” if Max Verstappen quit Formula One - and insisted no driver was bigger than the sport.

- By PHILIP DUNCAN

George Russell (left) and Max Verstappen

(CLIVE ROSE/ GETTY IMAGES)

Verstappen has been a huge critic of F1’s new rules - comparing them to Mario Kart - and hinted at the last round in Japan that he could walk away.

It also emerged earlier this month that the four-time world champion’s long-term race engineer and close ally Gianpiero Lambiase was leaving Red Bull for rivals’ McLaren.

But Russell said: “Formula One is bigger than any driver. You wouldn't want to lose Max because we all enjoy racing against him.

“But he has achieved what most drivers dream of, which is winning a world championship and he has got four of them and, at the end of the day, you get to a point where there isn’t much more for him to achieve.