The best of enemies! Max Verstappen and George Russell pose next to each other in awkward Class of 2024 snap – after the Mercedes star accused world champion of ‘bullying’ other drivers ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Max Verstappen and George Russell were pictured side-by-side in what can only be described as an awkward end-of-season photograph amid their ongoing feud.
The image, which captured them kneeling down next to each other, comes at a time when their rivalry has reached new heights.
The tension between Verstappen and Russell escalated dramatically during the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, following a controversial incident in qualifying.
The Dutch driver, who initially secured pole position for the race, found himself under investigation by the stewards after a clash with Russell during the cool-down lap.
Verstappen had slowed down intentionally to avoid disrupting the flow of other drivers, but the stewards determined that his actions had interfered with Russell’s preparation for his own lap, leading to a one-place grid penalty for Verstappen.
The penalty had a direct impact on both Verstappen and Russell as it shifted the British driver up to pole position, a result that angered the Dutchman.
Max Verstappen and George Russell were pictured side-by-side in what can only be described as an awkward end-of-season photograph amid their ongoing feud
On Thursday Russell claimed that ‘bully’ Max Verstappen told him he would, ‘Put me on my f****** head in the wall.’
The occasion came amid tensions between Max Verstappen (third from left) and George Russell (on right of Lewis Hamilton making peace sign)
Verstappen felt he had taken steps to avoid causing an issue by deliberately easing off his pace, aiming to be respectful to others on track. However, the stewards disagreed.
The 27-year-old Dutch driver later expressed his disbelief at the ruling, stating that he had been penalised for trying to be considerate to the other drivers.
In his post-race comments, Verstappen also admitted that the situation had left a bitter taste in his mouth, particularly after Russell’s role in the stewards’ hearing.
Verstappen felt that Russell had unfairly pushed for the penalty, and this has led him to claim that he had ‘lost all respect’ for the Mercedes driver.
Verstappen said that he had never encountered a driver who had attempted to ‘screw someone over that hard’ in a stewards’ room..
In the aftermath of the race, Verstappen continued to express his frustration, emphasising that he no longer wanted anything to do with Russell.
He suggested that while Russell may appear courteous in public and in front of cameras, his behaviour behind closed doors was far from respectful.
On Thursday, Russell labelled the four-time world champion a ‘bully’ and claimed that the Dutchman told him he would ‘Put me on my f****** head in the wall’ during a heated private exchange following a controversial decision from the stewards last week.
Max Verstappen has not let up in his criticism of Mercedes’ George Russell, following a controversial incident involving the pair in Qatar
As a result, Verstappen and Russell were ‘sat as far away from each other as possible’ during F1 driver’s end-of-season dinner.
McLaren star Lando Norris, who came closest to dethroning Verstappen this term, lifted the lid on the occasion with a social media post on Thursday night.
In it, he revealed that the drivers at the centre of the ‘bullying’ storm gave each other a wide berth at the annual do.
Norris wrote on Instagram: ‘2024 dinner! and yes, the two your thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.’
Norris followed the message up with a crying laughing emoji and a smiling emoji – with fans flocking to the comments to share their opinion.
The snap was also notable for the placement of Lewis Hamilton, who was tucked away in the corner next to Charles Leclerc, who will be his team-mate at Ferrari
