After clinching victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, Max Verstappen launched a scathing verbal attack on Mercedes driver George Russell, calling him out in a manner rarely seen in Formula 1. This fiery exchange came in the aftermath of a contentious qualifying session where Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty for allegedly impeding Russell. The decision, following a narrow 0.055-second gap between their times, left Verstappen seething, as he believed Russell deliberately pushed for the penalty.
Speaking to the media, Verstappen did not mince words, accusing Russell of being “two-faced” and stating he had “lost all respect” for the British driver. Verstappen expressed disbelief at what he described as Russell’s excessive efforts to have him penalized. “I’ve never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard,” he said, adding fuel to their long-standing rivalry.
However, George Russell was quick to respond in kind. Ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Russell addressed the controversy in a no-holds-barred media session, countering Verstappen’s accusations with his own sharp criticism. Russell dismissed Verstappen’s remarks as disrespectful and hypocritical.
“I find it all quite ironic,” Russell began, referring to alleged threats made by Verstappen the previous evening. According to Russell, Verstappen had said he would “purposefully go out of [his] way to crash into me and, quote, ‘Put me on my f—ing head in the wall.’” Russell highlighted the irony of being labeled untrustworthy while Verstappen reportedly made such comments, emphasizing the reigning champion’s own questionable behavior.
The feud between these two drivers has captivated fans and reignited debates within the F1 community. Many are weighing in on the issue, with some siding with Verstappen for standing his ground and others supporting Russell for calling out what he perceives as double standards. Polls suggest a divided opinion, with some chalking it up to racing drama while others assign blame to one driver or the other.
This clash is unfolding against the backdrop of broader discussions within the sport, from controversial penalties to ongoing debates about driver conduct. As the season finale looms, the tension between Verstappen and Russell promises to be a focal point of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.