Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has issued a stark warning over the safety of the Baku City Circuit after a heart-stopping moment with Mercedes rival George Russell during Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Red Bull star, who finished second behind Sergio Perez, was almost collected by Russell's Mercedes as the British driver rejoined the track aggressively at Turn 15 after a mistake. The incident forced Verstappen to take evasive action, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision.
Verstappen didn't mince his words in his post-race assessment, directing his fury at the circuit's design rather than his fellow driver. He described the runoff area where the incident occurred as "very dangerous" and criticised the FIA's track standards.
"The problem is the white line with the kerb on the outside," Verstappen explained. "If you go over it, you have to come back on the track but the problem is you have no grip. I saw George had a moment there, I was trying to give him space but then he was still sliding and I had to go even further to the left to avoid a collision."
Circuit Design Under Fire
The Dutchman's comments highlight growing concerns about the challenging street circuit, which has produced dramatic racing but also numerous safety incidents over the years. Verstappen specifically questioned why the runoff area wasn't made of tarmac instead of the slippery surface that caused Russell's moment.
"It's just not up to standard, the outside of that corner," he stated bluntly. The incident marred what was otherwise a strong recovery drive for Verstappen, who fought back from an early pit stop to secure a Red Bull one-two finish.
Russell Defends His Driving
For his part, George Russell defended his actions, suggesting the incident looked more dramatic than it actually was. The Mercedes driver acknowledged the challenging nature of the corner but maintained that drivers must use every part of the track available to them.
The near-miss has reignited debates about circuit safety in Formula 1, particularly at street circuits that push the boundaries between challenging racing and acceptable risk. With Baku established as a regular on the F1 calendar, Verstappen's comments are likely to prompt fresh scrutiny from the FIA and race organisers ahead of next year's event.
