'Backstabber': Verstappen Reacts To Russell's 'Loser' Response

Friday, 06 December 2024 at 12:00

Max Verstappen reacted to George Russell's response that came following his criticism of the Mercedes driver after the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.

Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen was very angry at George Russell after a meeting with stewards concerning his slow driving in the warm-up lap for the final qualifying run in Qatar.

The Dutchman told the media that Russell did everything he could in order to get him unfairly penalized and that he lost all respect for him.

Moreover, Verstappen also said that he couldn't stand how the Briton behaves differently in private compared to when there are cameras around.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Russell hit back at the four-time World Champion as he suggested he won't accept it.

Russell stated that Verstappen threatened after the meeting with the stewards to "put his head into a fu****g wall" at the start of the Grand Prix.

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The Mercedes driver felt that the 27-year-old had taken it too far now and that he was the guy who had been bullying people for years, bringing up examples from 2021 but also 2024.

The Briton also said that the Dutchman is "above the law" and "unnecessarily aggressive and violent" and that "maybe he thinks he can get away with murder."

When the Red Bull Racing driver was asked if he had anything to say in response to what had been said about him, he told De Telegraaf via ESPN Netherlands.

"Yeah, but George is a backstabber. The way he brings up all this nonsense - he's just a loser. He lies and cobbles things together that don't add up. I only voiced my opinion about his behavior with the stewards."

When asked specifically about the part where Russell suggested that the Dutchman told him he would put "his head into fu*****g wall," Verstappen said:

"That's not true; I didn't say it like that. He's exaggerating again. Do you know what I can't stand?"

"The way he attacks me unacceptably with the stewards and then acts like nothing happened the next day, patting me on the shoulder. I think, 'Stay away from me.' He invents all sorts of nonsense."

"With me, you always get the same: here, at home, with the stewards - I don't change. You can't say the same about everyone. But I'm not surprised by him."

"I was very relaxed with the stewards, having already secured the championship. But he had to be dramatic to start first. It wasn't that dramatic with the stewards last week. Maybe next time, I'll bring tissues."