mobile app bar

George Russell’s Comment on Verstappen Seems to Be a ‘Veiled’ Dig at Norris for Lack of ‘Steel’ Against Reigning World Champ

Vidit Dhawan
Published

F1 - QATAR GRAND PRIX 2024 RUSSELL George (gbr), Mercedes AMG F1 Team W15, NORRIS Lando (gbr), McLaren F1 Team MCL38, portrait during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024

Max Verstappen can be an intimidating presence, both in the paddock and on track. No one matches his sheer aggression, which has helped him win many battles en route to the crown. This inherent nature is what led to George Russell labeling the world champion a bully last year.

After Russell and Verstappen clashed in Qatar in the penultimate round last season, the Mercedes driver said, “People seem to always back down to him, and that’s just not how I go about my business“.

Then, he seemingly took a dig at Lando Norris — one of Verstappen’s closest friends in F1 — by saying, “I’m not there to be best mates with a world champion, I’m here to win“. The comment, needless to say, has sparked a rivalry.

Russell did not explicitly mention Norris. But it was pretty evident since Verstappen doesn’t really have a lot of ‘mates’ in the paddock. Sky Sports’ Craig Slater feels the battle lines are drawn, and Russell’s comment can be taken as a sign that the Brit wants to beat Verstappen. And the veiled dig is possibly the Mercedes driver’s way of saying Norris lacks that drive.

He [Russell] observed that others seemed to back down to Max and that he doesn’t want to be friends with the world champion. He wants to beat him,” Slater said. “I wonder if that was a veiled reference to a kind of a cozier or a more sympathetic relationship that Lando Norris seems to have with Verstappen.

It’s clear by now that Russell and Verstappen don’t get along. While they avoid regular altercations, their verbal jabs over the years have made that evident. However, bringing Norris into the conversation — if Russell was indeed referring to him — came as a surprise.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ESPN F1 (@espnf1)

Norris and Verstappen had their troubles in 2024. Their friendship was tested when they collided in Austria, which ended Norris’ race. The McLaren driver blamed Verstappen for the incident.

Things got so tense that Norris admitted he could lose respect for the Red Bull driver. However, they settled their differences pretty quickly.

Norris jokingly claimed he ‘fought’ with Verstappen

With tensions rising between Norris and Verstappen last year, the media were eager to know if they had settled their differences ahead of the new season. Both, however, responded with not-so-serious answers.

Verstappen sarcastically stated that his bond with Norris had been “terrible” since last year and that they no longer got along. “We don’t get on anymore, it’s taking its toll,” the Dutchman said.

Norris played along, adding, “We had a fight the other day in a local pub. We had to get escorted.” 

All is well between Norris and Verstappen despite last year’s on-track clash that fueled rumors that their friendship has ended. Russell, however, seems to be not interested in creating an amicable relationship with Verstappen, forget a friendship.

Post Edited By:Somin Bhattacharjee

About the author

Vidit Dhawan

Vidit Dhawan

x-icon

Vidit Dhawan, a Formula 1 Editor at The SportsRush, is intrinsically connected with everything around the sport — from the engine roar, the cacophony on the grandstands to the action. He fell in love with F1 during the inaugural Indian GP in 2011. After more than a decade of deep engagement with the sport, Vidit insists he will remain a lifelong fan of Fernando Alonso, and sees the future of F1 in Charles Leclerc. A sports fanatic from childhood, he discovered his passion for writing while pursuing a bachelor's degree in international and global studies. Vidit has written over 1,700 articles, ranging from news reports to opinions. He thrives covering live action, and loves to dig into the contrasting personalities in the F1 bandwagon and narrate their journey in life as well as the sport. Vidit also follows tennis and football, enjoys playing as well as coaching chess.

Share this article