'Russell should have fought the stewards, not Verstappen'

At the end of the 2024 season, the war of words between Max Verstappen and George Russell dominated the headlines. Verstappen was not happy with how the Briton acted in the stewards room in Qatar after qualifying, and the conversation was carried on to the Abu Dhabi weekend as well. Former team principal Guenther Steiner also shared his thoughts on the matter.

After Verstappen's comments in Qatar on Sunday, Russell had the chance to respond in Abu Dhabi on the Thursday. To begin with, according to Steiner, the Mercedes driver did not handle the situation well first inside the stewards' room. "He didn't look the smartest guy there, to pick a fight with Max, in front of the stewards. Because Max milked that one. And George, normally, he's not that kind of guy."

Then, in Abu Dhabi, Russell stated that he wants to stand up to the 'bully', Verstappen. But according to the former Haas F1 team principal, that was not the correct approach either. "I believe in standing up to bullies, but some let somebody else do the dirty work for you, and he had got the team manager there. I actually run into George in Abu Dhabi and he said ‘yeah I just did like you would be doing.' I would have picked a fight with the stewards, not with Max Verstappen," Steiner explained.

Meanwhile, Verstappen also said he has since talked to Russell about the matter. "We talked briefly after the race in Abu Dhabi and it will be fine next season. We are all ready for the Christmas holidays," the four-time champion told Austrian TV.

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