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  • February 11, 2025
The best enemies! Max Verstappen and George Russell pose next to each other in tough 2024 class – after the Mercedes star accused the world champion of ‘bullying’ other drivers ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The best enemies! Max Verstappen and George Russell pose next to each other in tough 2024 class – after the Mercedes star accused the world champion of ‘bullying’ other drivers ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

  • Max Verstappen and George Russell stood awkwardly next to each other in the photo
  • The recent picture comes at a time when their rivalry has reached new heights
  • Tensions between them escalated after the 2024 Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix

Max Verstappen and George Russell were photographed side by side in what can only be described as an awkward end-of-season photo amid their ongoing feud.

The image, which captured them kneeling next to each other, comes at a time when their rivalry has reached new heights.

Tensions between Verstappen and Russell escalated dramatically at the 2024 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Qatar, after a controversial incident in qualifying.

The Dutch driver, who initially secured pole position for the race, was investigated by the stewards after colliding with Russell during the cool-down lap.

Verstappen had deliberately slowed down so as not to disrupt the flow of other drivers, but the stewards determined that his actions had disrupted Russell’s preparation for his own lap, leading to a one-place grid penalty for Verstappen.

The penalty had an immediate impact on both Verstappen and Russell as it shifted the British driver to pole position, a result which angered the Dutchman.

The best enemies! Max Verstappen and George Russell pose next to each other in tough 2024 class – after the Mercedes star accused the world champion of ‘bullying’ other drivers ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Max Verstappen and George Russell were pictured side by side in what can only be described as an awkward end-of-season photo amid their ongoing feud

On Thursday, Russell claimed that 'bully' Max Verstappen told him he would: 'Put my fucking head in the wall.'

On Thursday, Russell claimed that ‘bully’ Max Verstappen told him he would: ‘Put my fucking head in the wall.’

The occasion took place amid tensions between Max Verstappen (third from left) and George Russell (to the right of Lewis Hamilton making the peace sign)

Verstappen felt he had taken steps to avoid problems by deliberately slowing his pace, with the aim of being respectful to others on the track. However, the stewards disagreed.

The 27-year-old Dutch driver later expressed his disbelief at the ruling, stating that he had been punished for trying to be considerate towards the other drivers.

In his post-race comments, Verstappen also admitted that the situation had left a bitter taste in his mouth, especially after Russell’s role in the stewards’ hearing.

Verstappen felt Russell had unfairly asked for the punishment, leading him to claim he had lost ‘all respect’ for the Mercedes driver.

Verstappen said he had never encountered a driver who had tried to “screw someone so hard” in a stewards’ room.

In the aftermath of the race, Verstappen continued to express his frustration, emphasizing that he wanted nothing more to do with Russell.

He suggested that while Russell appeared courteous in public and in front of cameras, his behavior behind closed doors was far from respectful.

On Thursday, Russell branded the four-time world champion a ‘bully’ and claimed the Dutchman told him he would ‘put me on my f***ing head in the wall’ during a heated private exchange following a controversial decision. from the stewards last week.

Max Verstappen has not given up his criticism of Mercedes' George Russell following a controversial incident involving the pair in Qatar

Max Verstappen has not given up his criticism of Mercedes’ George Russell following a controversial incident involving the pair in Qatar

As a result, Verstappen and Russell sat ‘as far apart as possible’ during the F1 driver’s end-of-season dinner.

McLaren star Lando Norris, who came closest to dethroning Verstappen this season, lifted the lid on the occasion with a post on social media on Thursday evening.

In it, he revealed that the drivers at the center of the ‘bullying’ storm gave each other a wide lead during the annual Thu.

Norris wrote on Instagram: ‘dinner 2024! and yes, the two you were thinking of were as far apart as possible.”

Norris followed up the post with a crying, laughing emoji and a laughing emoji – with fans flocking to the comments to share their thoughts.

The click was also notable for the placement of Lewis Hamilton, who is tucked into the corner next to Charles Leclerc, who will be his teammate at Ferrari

Max VerstappenGeorge Russell