Celebrations were on the cards when most of the F1 drivers got together for a dinner in Abu Dhabi a few weeks back. Since they were away from the track, the meet was meant to be held in good spirits. So, many thought they could use the opportunity to quash the ongoing beef between Max Verstappen and MGeorge Russell.
The plan was to fill up all the seats before Verstappen and Russell arrived, revealed Liam Lawson on the Pitstop podcast. This would force the two to sit next to each other. It almost worked.
Lawson said that his Red Bull teammate seemed keen to “pause” the tensions too. When Russell arrived, there was just one seat available and that was next to Verstappen.
Lawson narrated that Verstappen invited the Mercedes driver: “Mate, we have saved a seat for you”.
However Russell, much to the disappointment of everyone present, picked up the chair and went and sat as far away as he could from the Red Bull driver.
liam basically spilling the tea about the grid dinner and confirming that all drivers planned so george would need to sit next to max (and max also joined in on the joke) this grid loves drama, i cant pic.twitter.com/ZSoRW19QeE
— clara (@leclercsletters) December 19, 2024
Lawson concluded his narration by saying that the incident made the mood pretty awkward in the room. “We thought it would be funny, it wasn’t funny,” he said.
Perhaps for Russell, things were a bit too fresh. The two drivers had begun trading insults after the Qatar GP in early December.
The four-time world champion was angered by Russell’s reaction to a penalty he was handed during qualifying there. Subsequently, the Mercedes driver called Verstappen a “bully”, while claiming the Dutchman had snapped at him. Max had quickly denied any confrontation.
The dinner snub may have come across awkward for Lawson and the other drivers, but it had strong sentiments attached.
Lawson, known as a fierce competitor, has already had such moments with other drivers despite being relatively new on the grid. With the Kiwi driver set to join Verstappen at Red Bull for his first full season next year, he is likely to have more, if his tiff with Fernando Alonso is anything to go by.
Lawson is no stranger to heated arguments himself
Lawson has not yet completed a full F1 season but has already established an aggressive reputation for himself. The New Zealander’s driving style had irked the two-time champion Alonso.
“Too much action, maybe, from Lawson, who has six races to prove things. I don’t think it’s the best way, but it’s his career at stake and not mine,” Alonso had said after their battle at the United States GP.
In reply, the 22-year-old has made it clear that this is the way he races and he will not change his driving style to make competitors happy.
So, more fireworks can be expected from Lawson next year, be it on, or off the track.
