Max Verstappen and George Russell in Singapore - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

New juicy chapter unfolds in Russell–Verstappen 2024 war of words

07:42, 15 Oct

byTobia Elia

Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz has shared more insights about the war of words between Max Verstappen and George Russell that unfolded towards the end of last season

“I asked him if he was absolutely sure he wanted to escalate what was effectively last year’s story, and start a new fight with Max”

- Ted Kravitz

In his new book Notes from the Pit Lane, Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz recalled an anecdote involving the two drivers, focusing on a particular episode that took place a week after the events in Qatar — with Russell at the centre of it.

“A week after Qatar, when Russell arrived at the Abu Dhabi track, he was in no mood to let the Verstappen situation lie,” Kravitz recalled.

“I’d spent the day interviewing drivers at the TV pen, but hadn’t yet heard any earth-shattering stories. A minute before his time slot, up strode George. He called me over to the edge of the pen – ‘make sure you ask me a follow-up question’.

Max Verstappen congratulates George Russell for Singapore GP win - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Kravitz revealed that it was in fact the Mercedes driver himself who asked him to bring up a question about Verstappen — hoping to “call out” the Dutchman in front of the media, just a week after being sharply criticised by him.

“‘What do you mean?’ I asked. ‘I’m going to give it back to Max. I’ve had enough of him bad-mouthing me in the press, and I’m going to call him out on his bullying tactics. I know you’re only supposed to ask me one question, but never mind that, I’m up for as many questions as you like’.

“Before checking to see if he was wearing a Drive to Survive microphone, I asked him if he was absolutely sure he wanted to escalate what was effectively last year’s story, and start a new fight with Max – never an easy battle to win. He said he was positive, and away he went.”

What happened between Russell and Verstappen in Qatar 2024?

In the closing minutes of qualifying in Qatar, the penultimate round of the 2024 season, Russell and Verstappen ended up running nose-to-tail on track.

Verstappen was penalised for impeding the Mercedes driver for “driving unnecessarily slowly,” which dropped him one place on the grid and handed pole to the Briton.

That decision sparked Verstappen’s fury in front of the media—not only because he felt the penalty was unfair, but also over Russell’s conduct, accusing him of acting one way on camera and another behind closed doors with the stewards.

What followed was a full-blown war of words that rumbled on until the end of the season, before cooling over the winter break. The pair then clashed again in Barcelona this year, in another controversial flashpoint.

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