George Russell declined to sit next to Max Verstappen during the F1 drivers' dinner: Reports
Mercedes driver George Russell reportedly declined to sit beside Max Verstappen during the F1 driver's dinner at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ahead of the season finale every year, all 20 drivers meet away from the track and indulge in a relaxed dinner.
However, this year's atmosphere was seemingly tense due to the ongoing war of words between George Russell and Max Verstappen after the end of the Qatar Grand Prix. In the last race, the Dutch voiced his displeasure over Russell's behavior in the stewards' room at the end of the qualifying session in Lusail, saying:
“Honestly, [it was] very disappointing because I think we're all here, we respect each other a lot and of course, I've been in that meeting room many times in my life, in my career, with people that I’ve raced and I've never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard. And that for me… I lost all respect.”
As reported by Adam Cooper on Friday, December 6, George Russell was the last to arrive for the driver's dinner. He was to be seated alongside Max Verstappen but refused to do so before moving his chair elsewhere.
Following Verstappen's comments, Russell retaliated in a pre-race press conference with select journalists in the team's hospitality area. He labeled the 27-year-old a "bully", claiming he would stand up against the Red Bull driver.
In the paddock, the 26-year-old discussed the incident and explained that there was 'nothing personal' in his intentions towards the four-time world champion getting a penalty in Qatar.
“What happened at the weekend, from my side to Max, was not personal, the same way as in the race," Russell said.
Deeming Verstappen's comments as 'unnecessary', Russell added:
"It’s part of racing, but the words he said [are] totally unnecessary. He’s crossed a line and I’m not going to accept it, so somebody has to stand up to someone who thinks he’s above the law.”
George Russell went on to question Max Verstappen's behavior and claimed that the Dutch driver expected everything to go his way.
George Russell took a shot at Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi
Speaking to media ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, Mercedes driver George Russell reiterated his opinion that Max Verstappen made the feud "personal" with his comments.
The British driver voiced his disappointment over the incidents and claimed that the Dutch expected lenient treatment. Russell said (via the aforementioned source):
“I haven’t got him disqualified, it almost feels like he expects a double standard, and if it’s not going his way then there’s no way, and that’s not how the sport works," Russell said. "I’ve known Max for 12 years, I’ve respected him all of this time, but now I’ve lost respect for him because we’re all fighting on track and it’s never personal. Now he’s made it personal, and someone needs to stand up to a bully like this. So far, people let him get away with murder,” he added.
George Russell has taken the last two pole positions in the sport having inherited the P1 grid slot after Max Verstappen's one-place grid penalty that started the argument.