George Russell said F1 drivers have to be able \u201cto do what you enjoy in life\u201d after Max Verstappen\u2019s run at the Nurburgring was suggested as being overly dangerous.<\/p>\n
Verstappen swapped an F1 car for a GT3 Ferrari last weekend<\/a> when he competed in an event at the N\u00fcrburgring, but it was put to some of his fellow drivers that it may be an unnecessary risk.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen safety claim dismissed by George Russell<\/p>\n Verstappen, unsurprisingly, impressed on his debut by winning the four-hour race. As he returns to the F1 cockpit in Singapore this weekend, some of his colleagues have been asked whether driving around tracks like the legendary Nordschleife was overly dangerous.<\/p>\n The example of Robert Kubica, who was nearly killed after he competed in a rally event in 2011, was brought up, but Russell said drivers must be allowed to pursue their passion.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you have to do what you enjoy in life,\u201d Russell said in Singapore. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a risk in everything.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can slip on the paddle court, and break a leg as an example, or you fall down the stairs in the morning.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I think obviously there are certain things that have a greater risk. Obviously, rally is probably a higher risk than racing a GT3 car on a race track, but ultimately, we all have to do what we enjoy. This is life.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of drivers go skiing as well; you can\u2019t wrap yourself in bubble wrap.\u201d<\/p>\n Russell was joined in the press conference by Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon who both said it was good to see Verstappen trying other disciplines.<\/p>\n Norris in particular suggested winning four world titles had given Verstappen increased freedom to pursue his passions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s cool. It\u2019s nice he can go and do what he wants,\u201d Norris said. \u201cI think after you win four World Championships, you have a bit more right to just go and choose what you want to do.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knows how much Max loves doing all those things. And it\u2019s nice that he goes to do something else that he enjoys, but you can do what you want.<\/p>\n More on Max Verstappen\u2019s\u00a0N\u00fcrburgring race<\/p>\n \u2018One and a half laps\u2019 \u2013 Huge Verstappen prediction after crushing N\u00fcrburgring win<\/a><\/p>\n