George Russell’s ‘disrespectful’ Max Verstappen claim now looks well justified after Spanish Grand Prix clash

The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix once again saw Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes star George Russell clash on and off the track.

George Russell and Max Verstappen couldn’t be separated throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

They set identical laps during one of the practice sessions before both recording times of 1:11.848 during Q3 with the Red Bull star starting ahead of his Mercedes rival due to reaching the finish line first.

Verstappen overtook Lando Norris going into the first corner, while Russell fell behind Charles Leclerc, meaning both drivers were separated for much of the race.

However, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s power unit failure brought out the safety car and suddenly the four-time world champion was in Russell’s sights.

Leclerc and Verstappen clashed at the safety car restart before Russell forced the Dutchman off the track at the first corner.

Red Bull told Verstappen to let Russell by, but this resulted in the pair colliding at turn five and the 27-year-old was given a 10-second penalty as a result.

Russell was furious after the race and his comments on the Dutchman from last season have now been proven right after Verstappen appeared to lose his temper once again at the crucial moment.

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George Russell unimpressed with Max Verstappen after Spanish Grand Prix clash

Speaking to the press in his official media conference after the race, Russell said: ​​“It’s something that I’ve seen numerous times in sim racing, and iRacing, and never have I seen it in a Formula 1 race. “So that was something new.

“It’s a bit of a shame because Max is clearly one of the best drivers in the world, but manoeuvres like that are just totally unnecessary and sort of let him down, and it’s a shame for all the sort of young kids looking up aspiring to be Formula 1 drivers.

“So I don’t know what he was thinking. In the end, I’m not going to lose sleep over it, because I ultimately benefited from those antics.”

Verstappen had no interest in Russell’s concerns saying that he would ‘bring some tissues next time,’ when it was put to him that the Mercedes driver had said he was setting a bad example to young drivers.

They clearly didn’t agree on how the incident played out, which brings their relationship into focus once again.

Russell previously said he’d be happy to be teammates with Verstappen despite previously falling out.

Mercedes have been interested in Verstappen for some time, but Russell’s comments after the Qatar Grand Prix last year now feel more relevant than ever after their clash in the steward’s room following qualifying.

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George Russell’s comments on Max Verstappen at the Qatar Grand Prix now look justified

Russell held an impromptu press conference after the race in Qatar, as quoted by Autosport, where he explained his issues with Verstappen.

Many of the problems he had with the Dutchman came out again in Spain, and at the time, he said: “I find it all quite ironic, considering Saturday night he said he’s going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and, quote, “put me on my f—— head in the wall.”

“To question somebody’s integrity as a person, while saying comments like that the day before, I find it very ironic, and I’m not going to sit here and accept it.

“People have been bullied by Max for years now, and you can’t question his driving abilities. But he cannot deal with adversity whenever anything has gone against him.

“Jeddah ’21, Brazil ’21, he lashes out. Budapest this year, very first race, the car wasn’t dominant, crashing into Lewis, slamming his team.

“As I said, for me, those comments on Saturday night and Sunday were totally disrespectful and unnecessary, because what happens on track, we fight hard. It’s part of racing.

“What happens in the steward’s room? You fight hard, but it’s never personal. But you know, he’s taking it too far now.”

Verstappen doesn’t appear to be concerned by what those around him in the paddock think of his actions.

If he is becoming dissatisfied with Red Bull, who now sit fourth in the constructors’ championship, then Mercedes appear to be his most likely landing spot.

However, it’s hard to see how he and Russell would work harmoniously together, especially if they were up against each other in a title battle with the two McLaren drivers this season.