Max Verstappen reacted to the accusations of George Russel. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Verstappen rages in Formula 1 dispute: “George is a loser”

Max Verstappen and George Russell are definitely no longer friends. After the last race weekend in Lusail, the dispute between the two racing drivers is now threatening to escalate.

06 December 2024

From: dpa

Max Verstappen and George Russell could hardly have been sitting much further away from each other. After their heated argument with accusations of lying and serious allegations in the Abu Dhabi paddock, the Formula 1 world champion and the Mercedes driver met again on Thursday evening at the drivers' traditional end-of-season dinner.

Before they sat down near the ends of the table, their argument had escalated – and that The relationship between the racing drivers seems to be permanently destroyed. "He can't handle adversity. When things don't go his way, he lashes out with unnecessary anger and borderline violence. That's not a person I respect," Russell said of Verstappen.

Did Verstappen want to cause an accident?

The dispute was sparked by Russell's demand for a penalty for Verstappen. The Red Bull driver had recently hindered him in qualifying in Qatar. Verstappen had meanwhile criticised the Brit's behaviour to the race stewards after the World Championship race last Sunday. "We all have to follow the rules, but he doesn't follow them," said Russell: "I find it quite ironic when he tells me I'm going to deliberately cause an accident with you and bang your damn head against the wall."

The relationship between George Russell and Max Verstappen is more tense than ever. © APA/AFP / GIORGIO VIERA

According to Russell, Verstappen made this threat last Saturday evening. "For me, that is unacceptable. He has crossed a line," said the 26-year-old in the United Arab Emirates: "I have known Max for twelve years and have always respected him, but now the respect is gone." However, according to Russell, such defiant behavior is nothing new for the Dominator: "I saw him like that when he was 14 in a kart."

“Maybe next time I’ll bring tissues.” Max Verstappen

Verstappen denied the statement about an intentional crash and fired back in the Dutch daily newspaper “De Telegraf”. “George is a loser and a cheater,” said Verstappen. “He puts all sorts of things together that aren’t true.” Verstappen is said to have been extremely angry during the conversation with the stewards, even before Russell could even say anything, Russell said. “It wasn’t that dramatic. Maybe I’ll bring tissues next time,” replied Verstappen, who had just finished the season finale. made his girlfriend Kelly Piquet's pregnancy public.

Team bosses intervene

The dispute has long since spread and the team bosses have also got involved. "How dare he speak about my driver like that?" Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff hissed at Red Bull team boss Christian Horner: "He's a yapping little terrier. He always has something to say." Horner had described Russell as "hysterical" in a media round on Sunday, and the Silver Arrows did not take kindly to that. Verstappen himself was also criticized by Wolff for his comments about Russell.