George Russell Will Get His ‘A** Kicked’ by Max Verstappen After War of Words

Formula 1 thrives on rivalries, and if there’s one thing fans love as much as the racing, it’s the drama that unfolds off the track. The latest feud in the paddock? A heated exchange between George Russell and Max Verstappen that left racing legend Gijs van Lennep convinced that Russell might be biting off more than he can chew.

Russell vs. Verstappen: A Feud Ignited in Qatar

The war of words between George Russell and Max Verstappen kicked off in dramatic fashion during the latter half of the 2024 season. The turning point? The Qatar Grand Prix, where Russell allegedly reported Verstappen’s aggressive driving to the FIA stewards, resulting in a controversial penalty for the reigning champion.

This incident was just the tip of the iceberg. Verstappen, never one to mince words, lashed out at Russell, labeling him ‘two-faced.’ Meanwhile, Russell, in typical British fashion, maintained his composure but didn’t hesitate to call out Verstappen’s aggressive racing tactics.

While the feud seemed to fizzle out over time, one man hasn’t forgotten the incident—Le Mans winner and former Formula 1 driver Gijs van Lennep.

Van Lennep: “Russell is the Biggest Crook of All Time”

Gijs van Lennep, the 82-year-old Dutch motorsport legend, recently weighed in on the Russell-Verstappen rivalry. And let’s just say, he didn’t hold back.

“Look at [George] Russell. You think, ‘that’s a nice guy, beardless, a neat guy,’ but meanwhile, behind everyone’s back, that’s the biggest crook of all time,” Van Lennep said in a brutally honest assessment.

Ouch. That’s got to sting.

According to Van Lennep, Russell presents himself as the perfect gentleman in public, but behind the scenes, he’s playing a different game altogether. The Dutchman insinuated that Russell’s clean-cut image is nothing more than a facade, suggesting that he manipulates situations to his advantage while painting Verstappen as the villain.

And then came the knockout punch.

Van Lennep Warns: Russell Will Get His ‘A Kicked’ by Verstappen**

Van Lennep didn’t stop at calling Russell the ‘biggest crook of all time.’ He also made a bold prediction about how things might unfold if tensions between the two drivers escalate further.

“He [Russell] behaves so nicely and thinks he is doing everything right and Max Verstappen is not. That’s the kind of guy I think they should tackle at some point. But he will get his a** kicked, you know.”

Translation: If Russell keeps pushing Verstappen’s buttons, he might find himself on the receiving end of some serious payback.

Formula 1’s Love for Drama and Mind Games

Formula 1 isn’t just about racing; it’s also a psychological battlefield. Every driver, every team principal, and even former champions like Van Lennep have their own narratives to push. Verstappen and Russell’s war of words is just another chapter in the long history of F1 rivalries that have captivated fans for decades.

Interestingly, Van Lennep also pointed out that these public feuds are a tricky business. While he enjoys the drama, he firmly believes that F1 drivers shouldn’t engage in personal attacks.

“It’s a difficult problem. If it were up to me, they can say anything, they just shouldn’t slander each other,” he explained.

A fair point. A little trash talk spices things up, but outright slander? That’s a different story.

2025: The Year of Reckoning?

With the 2024 season wrapped up, all eyes are now on 2025. Red Bull remains the team to beat, but with fierce competition from Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, Verstappen will have to bring his A-game to maintain his dominance.

Meanwhile, Russell is expected to continue his push to establish himself as Mercedes’ top driver. Whether he can go toe-to-toe with Verstappen on a consistent basis remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure—if Russell and Verstappen find themselves wheel-to-wheel on the track again, fans can expect fireworks. And who knows? Maybe Van Lennep’s prediction of Russell getting his ‘a** kicked’ will come true—either on the track or in the court of public opinion.

Stay tuned, because this rivalry is far from over.