Formula 1: World champion dispute with Russell: “Lost all respect”

After making a clear statement on the track for the Formula 1 title fight next year, Max Verstappen took on one of the designated main rivals. Calmly but firmly and with a certain sharpness, the 27-year-old Dutchman practically declared that any friendly relationship with Mercedes man George Russell was over. “It’s very disappointing. I’ve lost all respect,” said the world champion.

“He’s always very polite in front of the cameras, but when you sit directly with him, he’s a completely different person. I can’t stand that,” said Verstappen on the night in Qatar after his victory at the Lusail International Circuit . “It’s better if he pisses off,” he told Dutch broadcaster Viaplay.

Verstappen’s title mission number five has already begun

The trigger for Verstappen’s clear words was Russell’s demand for a penalty because he felt that Verstappen was hindering him in qualifying. Remarkably, Russell – like Verstappen – wasn’t on a fast lap at all.

“I thought it was ridiculous how he tried to impose a penalty on me and that’s why I was really mad at him,” emphasized Verstappen, accusing his competitor, who is one of the drivers’ representatives, of being too close to the world association’s rule enforcers. Due to the incident with Russell on the track, Verstappen had to give up his pole position to the Brit after a decision by the race stewards.

After allegedly saying a few hearty words during the drivers’ parade, Verstappen let his actions speak for themselves on the track. He overtook Russell in the first corner and won the penultimate race of the season.

Victory number 63 in the Dutchman’s career, just a week after his fourth World Cup triumph, was also an announcement for title mission number five. “Max Verstappen is obviously still not full,” wrote the “Kurier” from Red Bull’s home country of Austria.

Is it all just a prelude to 2025?

“A victory like this just before the winter break is incredibly important and motivating,” emphasized Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko: “We have to take this momentum with us. Next year – the regulations remain the same – it will be tighter.”

Russell could then be one of Verstappen’s top challengers. After record world champion Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari after this season, the eloquent Brit sees himself in the role of leader of the Silver Arrows. His new teammate will be the 18-year-old premier class newcomer Kimi Antonelli.

In addition, as this year, there are the two McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The Brit Norris initially seemed extremely depressed after his performance and penalty in Qatar: “The team did a great job, but I disappointed them.”

No more than tenth place was achieved. Norris had to accept the next setback a week after the final defeat in the driver duel with Verstappen. The title award in the constructors’ championship between McLaren and Ferrari, which is 21 points behind, was postponed until the finale.

If Norris and McLaren fail in the last few meters of a long season in their attempt to win their first team title since 1998, this will likely put further pressure on Norris’s already somewhat fragile spirit. And then the victorious Ferrari team underlines the question: Why are you parting ways with one of the two drivers (Carlos Sainz) who gave the Scuderia its first constructors’ world championship since 2008?

But at the Yas Marina Circuit the focus will probably be on the reunion of Verstappen and Russell. “Max Verstappen accuses George Russell of being “double-faced,” the British Daily Mail already commented. “Max Verstappen strongly condemns his colleague,” said the Guardian. It remains to be seen in Abu Dhabi whether Russell will defend himself with words in the paddock or actions on the track.