The fireworks between Max Verstappen and George Russell dominated headlines in the latter stages of the 2024 Formula 1 season, but the reigning champion has now revealed an effort to mend fences before the 2025 campaign. After months of tension that began with an on-track incident in Qatar, Verstappen says he had a brief conversation with Russell after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, signaling a potential truce.
A Rivalry That Escalated Quickly
The bad blood between Verstappen and Russell boiled over after the Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen lost pole position due to impeding Russell on track. The fallout was intense, with both drivers trading barbs in the media:
- Verstappen accused Russell of trying to “screw someone over that hard” and claimed he had “lost all respect” for the Mercedes driver.
- Russell fired back, calling Verstappen a “bully” and alleging that the Dutchman threatened to “put me on my f***ing head in the wall” before the race.
The public feud added a layer of drama to the season’s conclusion, with fans speculating whether the tension would carry into 2025.
An Attempt to Start Fresh
Despite the heated exchanges, Verstappen told Kleine Zeitung that he and Russell shared a brief post-race conversation in Abu Dhabi aimed at clearing the air.
“We spoke briefly after the race in Abu Dhabi,” Verstappen said. “That’s okay, we’ll start again next year and that will be fine.”
While the exchange wasn’t particularly detailed, it suggests both drivers are eager to move past their feud as they prepare for another high-stakes season in 2025.
The Awkward Dinner That Wasn’t Funny for Everyone
Adding to the drama was an anecdote shared by Red Bull’s newly promoted driver Liam Lawson. On the Pitstop podcast, Lawson recounted the traditional F1 end-of-season dinner in Abu Dhabi, where drivers attempted to set up a cheeky moment by saving a seat for Russell right next to Verstappen.
“We thought it would be funny,” Lawson said. “Max was like, ‘Here, mate, we’ve saved a seat for you!’”
However, Russell wasn’t having it. Instead of playing along, the Brit coolly moved the chair and opted to sit on the opposite side of the table, alongside Lewis Hamilton.
“It was funny for us,” Lawson admitted, “but not so much for them.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
As both Verstappen and Russell gear up for the new season, their relationship remains one of F1’s most compelling subplots. Verstappen, now a four-time champion, will aim to maintain Red Bull’s dominance, while Russell and Mercedes hope to mount a stronger challenge in 2025.
Whether their Abu Dhabi truce holds up under the pressure of wheel-to-wheel battles remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Verstappen-Russell rivalry will be one of the most-watched storylines of the new season.