AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Nelson Piquet Jr. Critiques F1’s Polished Image Amidst Lingering Verstappen-Russell Spat

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 25, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Nelson Piquet Jr. Critiques F1’s Polished Image Amidst Lingering Verstappen-Russell Spat

Despite Max Verstappen and George Russell seemingly having put their Qatar conflict to rest, Verstappen’s soon-to-be uncle-in-law, Nelson Piquet Jr., isn’t quite ready to forget it. The dispute between Verstappen and Russell was a late-season flashpoint in the F1 2024 championship, a fiery exchange following qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who was stripped of pole position due to a post-qualifying penalty for driving at an unnecessary slow pace, lashed out at Russell for allegedly attempting to influence the stewards against him. Russell, in turn, accused the Dutch racer of being a bully, alleging that Verstappen had threatened him with violent language.

However, at the F1 75 event, both drivers appeared to bury the hatchet. Russell expressed confidence in Verstappen’s driving, while Verstappen assured media outlets, including PlanetF1.com, that he had no plans to reignite the feud in the future. But Piquet Jr., it seems, isn’t willing to let sleeping dogs lie.

The conversation took an interesting turn when Piquet Jr. and former F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi discussed the FIA’s recent ban on drivers using profanity on the Pelas Pistas podcast. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has called for a total ban on offensive language, with violations potentially leading to hefty fines, suspensions, and even the loss of World Championship points.

Piquet Jr., a former Renault F1 driver and brother to Verstappen’s partner, Kelly, expressed his disapproval of the ban, describing it as suppressive of the drivers’ personality. He lamented the increasing PR polish that drivers are expected to display during interviews, arguing that fans need to see the true persona of the drivers. He cited himself, James Hunt, and Max Verstappen as examples of drivers who speak their minds.

Fittipaldi joined in, expressing his concern about drivers becoming “polished robots”. The conversation eventually circled back to the Verstappen-Russell spat, with Piquet Jr. taking a jab at Russell, accusing the British driver of being overly calculating and comparing him to a “Playmobil doll”. Fittipaldi added to the jest, likening Russell to a character from the puppet show Thunderbirds, to which Piquet Jr. humorously suggested “Chicken Run”.

In conclusion, while Verstappen and Russell may have moved on from their tiff, it’s clear that some in the racing community haven’t quite forgotten it. The ban on foul language has sparked a debate about the suppression of drivers’ personalities, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the sport and its stars in the future.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Antonio Fuoco seizes Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans, fiery showdown with Porsche ensues
Motorsports

Antonio Fuoco seizes Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans, fiery showdown with Porsche ensues

Fabrizio Boldoni

by Redação
June 14, 2025
Zak Brown Graces Le Mans Challenge, Skipping Canadian Grand Prix Amidst Iconic Rivalry
Motorsports

Zak Brown Graces Le Mans Challenge, Skipping Canadian Grand Prix Amidst Iconic Rivalry

McLaren F1 Chief Absent at Canadian Grand Prix: Where is Zak Brown? The absence of McLaren F1 chief Zak Brown...

by Arthur Ling
June 14, 2025
Antonio Fuoco Extends Dominance, Vista AF Corse Seizes LMGT3 Lead in LM24 Drama
Motorsports

Antonio Fuoco Extends Dominance, Vista AF Corse Seizes LMGT3 Lead in LM24 Drama

Fabrizio Boldoni

by Harry Stone
June 14, 2025
Max Verstappen’s F1 Fate Hangs by a Thread as Rivals Plot Race Ban
Motorsports

Max Verstappen’s F1 Fate Hangs by a Thread as Rivals Plot Race Ban

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Redação
June 14, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

Antonio Fuoco seizes Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans, fiery showdown with Porsche ensues

Antonio Fuoco seizes Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans, fiery showdown with Porsche ensues

June 14, 2025
Connor Zilisch Secures Xfinity Series Pole in Epic Mexico City Showdown

Connor Zilisch Secures Xfinity Series Pole in Epic Mexico City Showdown

June 14, 2025
Zak Brown Graces Le Mans Challenge, Skipping Canadian Grand Prix Amidst Iconic Rivalry

Zak Brown Graces Le Mans Challenge, Skipping Canadian Grand Prix Amidst Iconic Rivalry

June 14, 2025
Antonio Fuoco Extends Dominance, Vista AF Corse Seizes LMGT3 Lead in LM24 Drama

Antonio Fuoco Extends Dominance, Vista AF Corse Seizes LMGT3 Lead in LM24 Drama

June 14, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks