George Russell tells Max Verstappen all F1 drivers are AGAINST HIM because of his…read more
Mercedes driver George Russell, serving as a director for the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), recently addressed mounting tensions between Max Verstappen and other drivers on the Formula 1 grid over Verstappen’s aggressive racing tactics. Russell has voiced concerns that many drivers, particularly his fellow director Lando Norris, feel Verstappen’s approach pushes the limits of fair racing, and there is growing support for clearer, more consistently enforced rules to address on-track conduct.
The latest friction between Verstappen and Norris, who is currently Verstappen’s closest rival in the championship standings, erupted over the past two races, particularly at the United States Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix. In the U.S. Grand Prix, Norris received a five-second time penalty for an attempted overtake that forced him off track while passing Verstappen. Although the penalty was minor, it stirred debate about consistency in penalties. At the Mexican Grand Prix, tensions escalated when Verstappen, defending against Norris again, was given a 20-second penalty after race stewards ruled his actions as overly aggressive. This decision significantly impacted Verstappen’s points and reignited debate about defensive moves in F1.
Russell, highlighting his concerns through the GPDA, argues that the current guidelines around overtaking and defensive maneuvers are too ambiguous, allowing incidents to go either unpunished or inconsistently penalized. He warns that this gray area in the rules can lead to riskier driving as drivers test what’s permissible. Russell believes establishing clearer, more uniform rules would reduce confusion and enhance safety by setting definite boundaries for fair racing.
Having insight into the collective sentiments of the drivers as a GPDA director, Russell claims that nearly all drivers align with the call for standardized, transparent guidelines—an issue he asserts is not targeted at Verstappen personally but rather aims to establish a level playing field for all competitors. Russell’s stance reflects a growing movement within F1 for refined rules to improve the sport’s fairness and safety.
As the season nears its end, pressure builds on regulatory bodies to respond to drivers’ concerns and consider rule updates. Whether the GPDA’s push, led by figures like Russell, will lead to action on overtaking and defensive tactics remains uncertain. For now, Russell’s message stands firm: the grid largely backs the push for change, and Verstappen’s race style has drawn intense scrutiny.
