P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Russell fed up of ‘bully’ Verstappen
Sky Sports F1 pundit Ted Kravitz has disclosed that George Russell’s ‘bully’ outburst against Max Verstappen last year was premeditated. The tension between Russell and Verstappen escalated following the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix when Verstappen implied Russell played a role in losing his pole position. At the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP, Russell publicly denounced Verstappen as a bully, accusing him of threatening to crash into him, which Verstappen refuted. Recent incidents during the 2025 season, like Verstappen’s collision with Russell at the Spanish GP, have intensified their rivalry, prompting Russell to caution Verstappen about his influence on younger fans. Kravitz’s revelations suggest that Russell’s media confrontation with Verstappen was planned, driven by frustration towards Verstappen’s negative remarks. The competition between Russell and Verstappen is heating up, with both drivers excelling in the 2025 season, positioning third and fourth in the drivers’ championship standings. Speculation is rife that the 2026 championship battle could narrow down to a fierce duel between Verstappen and Russell, as Mercedes is reportedly well-positioned to navigate the upcoming regulatory changes.
