George Russell may now have changed his mind about Max Verstappen after Spanish Grand Prix clash

The drama between George Russell and Max Verstappen has been reignited as the pair collided at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Russell and Verstappen had a heated exchange at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix when the latter was penalised for impeding the former in qualifying. This led to a tense argument in the stewards’ room, which went public after the Mercedes driver spoke to British media.

The 27-year-old spoke down about the Red Bull driver after he was alleged to have said he would push Russell’s head into a wall. Verstappen doubled down on his comments in Abu Dhabi, stating he would go flat out during cooldown laps and act like he would crash into someone.

Jos Verstappen considered the drama resolved entering 2025. However, the conflict hit the headlines again as the duo came to blows at the Spanish Grand Prix.

After the safety car restart, Russell forced Verstappen off the track at turn one, with the latter coming back on the circuit in P4. A few laps later, the Dutchman was instructed to hand the position back, which he did, but not before hitting the Mercedes driver at turn five.

The four-time champion was handed a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points to his FIA superlicence, demoting him to 10th and putting him on the verge of a race ban. Verstappen says it’s ‘unnecessary’ to talk to Russell after the incident, hinting conflict is still going on.

George Russell has been speaking about Max Verstappen in a ‘very good way’ in interviews

Russell’s comments about Verstappen in Qatar now look justified after their incident in Barcelona, as the Brit accused the Red Bull driver of deliberately driving into him. Many would expect the Mercedes driver to still hold a grudge from last season, but he may have changed his tone.

Journalist Diego Mejia pointed out that the Brit has been talking about Verstappen in a ‘very good way’ in recent interviews. Russell has ‘acknowledged’ the impressive performances the Red Bull has displayed in inferior machinery to the McLaren.

Asked if the feud between the drivers is still there from 2024, Mejia said via Pit Pass F1: “I think there is some element of that. But the addition of the frustration of the situation, of finding himself vulnerable without the tools to defend himself and even attack.

“So that, and also the fact that it’s Russell and that Russell pushed him off the track. I think there is obviously an element of that battle from the past.

“I’ve heard George speak about Max in a very good way for the past two races, whenever he refers to what Max has been able to do with the car he has against the McLarens.

“And he acknowledges Max’s ability, his racecraft, everything. But the feud is still there, from what you very well bring back from the qualifying session in Qatar.

“Whenever George has the opportunity to stir things up, he will.”

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Is George Russell still in the title picture in 2025?

Verstappen did admit responsibility for the incident, but he did not explicitly name Russell in his apology on social media. The Dutchman has dented his title chances as his 10th-place finish puts him 49 points behind Oscar Piastri, who claimed his fifth win of the season.

Russell’s P4 moves him 26 points behind Verstappen heading into the Canadian Grand Prix. The Spanish GP was encouraging for the Brit, having struggled in the previous two races.

Mercedes were a ‘mess’ in Monaco as the team failed to score points. The Silver Arrows feared the tyres would overheat in Barcelona as they desperately struggled with the problem in Monte Carlo.

However, Toto Wolff said Mercedes found ‘old form’ in Spain as Russell set an identical lap time with Verstappen to qualify fourth. The Brit will be delighted by this assessment, as he hopes to recover the impressive form he had displayed in the opening races.