"Maybe that is why he thinks he can get away with murder": George Russell's savage attack on Max Verstappen's driving style
George Russell and Mercedes organized a media event at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, where he lashed out at Max Verstappen for his comments at the Qatar GP. Abu Dhabi 2021 was brought into the conversation, while the Mercedes driver also attacked Verstappen's driving style.
George Russell said this about Max Verstappen to the media, including Sportskeeda, at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP:
“I admire his on-track battles, and when he’s hard and aggressive. But what we saw in the end of the season in ’21 or what we saw in Mexico with Lando [Norris], they weren’t hard, aggressive maneuvers. They were, ‘Do or die –I’m willing to take this guy out.’ Which I don’t think is the way we should go racing.”
He continued “He pushes himself to the absolute limit week in, week out, and in 95 percent of the scenarios, that is incredible to see, and I respect him for that 95 percent. But there have been incidents that have gone unpunished. Maybe that is why he thinks he can get away with murder. But that is not the world we live in, and actions have consequences.”
Russell believes Verstappen cannot handle adversity. He pointed out the Hungary GP crash with Lewis Hamilton. Certain critics believe that while Verstappen pushes the envelope beyond limits and is arguably the best driver on the grid, he tries to force a way into things when they don't go his way. In the 2021 season, the Red Bull driver collided with Hamilton multiple times.
A considerable switch in Verstappen's driving style can be noticed when he's in a comfortable zone and is leading the race, compared to other times. George Russell suggested that Verstappen was angry after he was out of the stewards' room, where he got the penalty.
Verstappen and Russell came together at the 2023 Azerbaijan GP sprint. The Red Bull driver was left with a huge hole in his sidepod. During parc ferme, the two confronted each other. Russell apologized for the same advising that he had cold tires. Verstappen shrugged off the apology and warned Russell to expect the same from his side next time around.
“Disrespected me as a driver” - George Russell on why he came out against and attacked Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen took a shot at George Russell after the Qatar GP as he called him “two-faced” following the meeting in the steward's room. However, Russell felt he was personally attacked by the four-time champion's comments and wanted to set the record straight.
George Russell told the media at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP including Sportskeeda,
“For me, those comments on Saturday night and Sunday were totally disrespectful and unnecessary. Because what happens on track, we fight hard, that’s part of racing. What happens in the stewards’ room, you fight hard, but it’s never personal. But he’s taken it too far now.”
“[I’m speaking out] because he’s come out in the media, and I feel has disrespected me as a driver.” He continued, “I honestly just want to set the record straight. Because it’s just a total double standard that he has for the regulations, and just thinking that he is above everybody else.”
Toto Wolff was also present for the media session and stood by his driver as he made the above-mentioned statements.