Jenson Button claims George Russell didn’t deserve the five-second penalty for Max Verstappen collision at Vegas 

Russell-Verstappen collision brought out the safety car.

Jenson Button claims George Russell didn’t deserve the five-second penalty for Max Verstappen collision at Vegas 

Jenson Button on Las Vegas collision between George Russell and Max Verstappen (via Sky Sports)

Max Verstappen and George Russell have not had the best of relationships throughout their careers. The two of them had major contact at a sprint race earlier this year which damaged Verstapen’s car. Verstappen and Russell repeated that in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, causing slight damage to both cars. But Jenson Button believes the five-second penalty was a bit too harsh of a punishment.

The incident caused a huge amount of debris to be spilt across the track. This eventually brought out the safety car, causing a huge upset in the running order of the cars. The FIA discussed and decided that the blame for the incident rests on George Russell. Russell was then handed a five-second penalty to be served either in the pits or after the race. Jenson Button of Sky Sports F1 claimed Russell did not deserve the penalty.

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I don't think he deserved a five-second penalty personally
Jenson Button via Sky Sports F1

The safety car brought out by the incident may have decided the results of the race. Due to Verstappen and Sergio Perez taking the opportunity to pit, Charles Leclerc was left vulnerable to the two Red Bulls. Leclerc was eventually passed by the pair of them, though he reclaimed P2 from Perez on the last lap.

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Max Verstappen should have given P1 back, says Charles Leclerc

Max Verstappen started P2 on the grid for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and tried to overtake for the lead into turn 1. Due to a lack of grip on the track, Verstappen went wide into the turn, pushing Charles Leclerc slightly off track. Verstappen was handed a 5-second penalty for the incident.

Charles Leclerc at Las Vegas GP
Charles Leclerc at the Las Vegas GP (via Sky Sports F1)

Verstappen ended up serving the penalty in the pits and Leclerc was able to make the most of the opportunity and take the lead. However, Charles Leclerc still disagreed with the decision after speaking to Verstappen about the incident. The Monegasque driver felt that switching positions would be the appropriate consequence for such a situation.

I just think that in those kinds of situations, it would be better for the FIA to ask to give the place back because I think there is quite an advantage to take of care of the tyres when you have free air.
Charles Leclerc said, as reported by planetf1.com

Leclerc was not able to take his advantage to fruition anyway, however. The 5-time Grand Prix winner suffered a spot of bad luck after an unfortunate safety car. On older tyres, Leclerc still managed a second place by the end of the race but would have very much preferred a race win.

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