Verstappen Versus Russell: A Rivalry Continuing to Brew?
Formula 1 has become the crucible of some of the fiercest rivalries within the pinnacle of motorsport.
Senna versus Prost, Hunt taking the fight to Lauda, Hakkinen challenging Schumacher, and civil war between Hamilton and Rosberg.
Now, a new rivalry brews in the mist between current four-time world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ number 1 driver George Russell.
From 2023, the heated onslaught between Red Bull’s Flying Dutchman and Mercedes’ Kings Lynn driver may have only begun to escalate.
But where did it begin?
Baku Lit the Match Between Max and George
The tension between Verstappen and Russell came to a head during the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint Race.
Lights out and heading to the second corner, Russell went for a daring move on Verstappen, making slight contact and leaving the Red Bull driver with some damage.
Verstappen, clearly frustrated, didn’t hold back after the race, confronting Russell in a heated exchange.
But Russell, unfazed by the confrontation, brushed it off with a simple response stating he had no grip and walking away believing that Verstappen should have expected hard racing.
It was a moment that started to fuel a fire that is quickly becoming one of F1’s fiercest emerging rivalries.
Fast Forward to 2024 in Qatar
A year later, the feud between Verstappen and Russell was sought to be a glimpse of the past.
But when Formula 1 ventured into the dunes of Qatar in 2024, it was seen as the first domino to fall.
The two peas in the pot reached a new level of heat when Qualifying 3 of the Qatar Grand Prix was drawing its conclusion.
Verstappen was penalised for impeding Russell by driving unnecessarily slowly, resulting in a one-place grid drop that promoted Russell to pole position.
The situation escalated when Verstappen accused Russell of deliberately influencing the stewards' decision, stating, he “lost all respect” for George.
Russell responded by criticising Verstappen's behaviour, revealing that the Dutchman had threatened him with a crash, saying he would "put me on my f*****g head in the wall."
A day later, Verstappen secured victory in the race, while Russell finished fourth after receiving a five-second penalty for a safety car infringement.
The feud between the two drivers has left a lingering strain, with no signs of reconciliation. Or is there?
There is 'no intention' for Russell to Speak to Verstappen
A new year and you’d expect over the winter break the animosity between Verstappen and Russell to of cooled down. No.
In an interview on BBC Radio 5, the Mercedes driver stated: “That happened last year. I want to focus on myself. Things got out of line last year. That was then. We are not going to go back to being best mates, that's for sure.”
Emphasis that the British driver does not want to attempt to cool the air between them. Verstappen also presented his side of the matter stated by BBC Sport on Tuesday.
“That happened last year. I want to focus on myself. Things got out of line last year. That was then. We are not going to go back to being best mates, that's for sure.”
No Chance to Clear the Air?
Putting the drivers Max Verstappen and George Russell in the same sentence feels as tense as the air between them.
Both have made it clear there will be no reconciliation, as they intend to focus on their ventures on and off the track.
24 races open the door for Verstappen and Russell to come into contact. But will both drivers focus on their own races? Or will there be more fuel doused on the fire?