The fireworks between Max Verstappen and George Russell might have cooled down for now, but according to Dutch racing icon Gijs van Lennep, Russell better watch his back—because a battle with Verstappen is a dangerous game.
Van Lennep, a two-time Le Mans winner and former F1 driver, didn’t hold back in his scathing attack on Russell, accusing the Mercedes driver of being a “two-faced crook” and warning that he will eventually get his a kicked by Verstappen**.
Russell vs. Verstappen: The War That Won’t Die
The bad blood between Russell and Verstappen erupted in the latter half of the 2024 season, when the Mercedes driver allegedly “snitched” to the FIA stewards, leading to a penalty for Verstappen.
Verstappen lashed out, branding Russell “two-faced,” while Russell fired back by criticizing Verstappen’s aggressive driving.
The feud lasted for weeks, with tensions boiling over on and off the track. While both drivers have seemingly moved on, van Lennep believes that Russell’s behavior is a ticking time bomb.
“Look at [George] Russell. You think, ‘that’s a nice guy, beardless, a neat guy,’ but meanwhile, behind everyone’s back, that’s the biggest crook of all time.”
“Russell Will Get His A Kicked”—Van Lennep’s Brutal Warning**
Van Lennep didn’t mince words, accusing Russell of playing the victim while painting Verstappen as the villain.
“He [Russell] behaves so nicely and thinks he is doing everything right, and Max Verstappen is not,” van Lennep said.
“That’s the kind of guy I think they should tackle at some point. But he will get his a* kicked, you know.”*
A verbal warning? Sure. But in F1, rivalries often escalate into wheel-to-wheel clashes. With Mercedes aiming to close the gap on Red Bull in 2025, this feud might just be getting started.
Van Lennep Calls for a “Yellow Card” for Russell
Beyond the Verstappen drama, van Lennep believes Russell’s behavior is a problem that needs to be addressed.
“Russell should be shown a ‘yellow card’ for his actions,” he insisted.
The Dutchman argues that while heated rivalries are part of the sport, drivers should avoid outright slander when discussing on-track incidents.
“It’s a difficult problem. If it were up to me, they can say anything, they just shouldn’t slander each other.”
Will the Russell-Verstappen Feud Explode Again in 2025?
With Red Bull facing performance concerns, Mercedes desperate for a title comeback, and Russell growing into a leadership role, the stage is set for another season of intense battles.
If Russell keeps Verstappen in his sights, he might find himself in the Dutchman’s crosshairs once again. And if van Lennep’s prediction is right—Russell won’t like the outcome.