Max Verstappen and George Russell’s feud at the end of the 2024 season caught all the headlines. Many wondered if the drama would continue into 2025.
The duo’s conflict was sparked by the events of the Qatar Grand Prix in qualifying. Verstappen was handed a controversial one-place grid penalty for impeding Russell while on a cooldown lap – the Mercedes driver had reported the Dutchman to the stewards.
The Red Bull driver claimed his ninth win of the season in Qatar – having already won his fourth world title. But Verstappen and Russell were seen in a heated exchange after the race and in the press conference.
Things boiled over into the stewards’ room, with Russell claiming Verstappen had threatened to put his head in a wall. Netflix cameras did not catch this exchange but many can guess the drama will likely be covered on season seven of Drive to Survive.
At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Russell labelled Verstappen a ‘bully’ and encouraged his fellow drivers to call out his actions. F1’s ‘top brass’ wanted the feud to stay behind closed doors – although that was never going to happen after the Dutchman called out the Mercedes driver in Qatar for reporting him.
Jos Verstappen thinks Max Verstappen and George Russell’s feud is ‘behind them’ after meeting in Bahrain
Russell alluded to the idea that the feud would roll over into 2025. The Brit said he had not spoken to Verstappen in the press conference at 71 75 and did not plan on doing so.
However, according to F1 photographer Kym Illman, the pair did meet in Bahrain ahead of pre-season testing. Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen was also present during the exchange.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Illman says the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers ‘shook hands’ in the hotel. He claims that Jos Verstappen seems to think the drama is ‘behind them’.
“Still on the subject of George Russell, I can tell you that he was having a chat with Jos Verstappen in their hotel this morning,” he said.
“And Max rolled up and George shook Max’s hand and it was all very civil.
“So I’d like to think that all that drama from last year and perhaps earlier this year is now behind them. Certainly, Jos seemed to think so.”
George Russell already regrets one comment about the W16 heading into 2025
Russell will step up as Mercedes’ team leader in 2025 after the departure of Lewis Hamilton. Alongside Kimi Antonelli, the Silver Arrows hope to improve after they struggled with frustrating machinery in 2024.
James Allison says Mercedes’ primary focus’ was fixing the car’s reluctance to turn in low-speed corners. Although it is early doors, day one of testing in Bahrain saw encouraging signs from the W16 as Antonelli topped the morning session.
Russell went nine-tenths quicker in the afternoon as the 27-year-old displayed strong pace. Russell retracted previous comments about knowing how good the car was after three laps, stating Mercedes need to be careful with the varying track conditions.
The Brackley-based outfit will naturally be down after the loss of Hamilton to Ferrari. But the new buzz within the team could spur them on in 2025 – and early signs are encouraging.
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