In one of the most unexpected and jaw-dropping twists of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the tension between Max Verstappen and George Russell has taken a deeply personal turn — and this time, it has nothing to do with what happened on the track.

Over the weekend, following the fiery clash between Verstappen and Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, Max’s girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, added fuel to the fire by making an explosive comment on social media that has left fans, drivers, and even team principals absolutely speechless.

The Comment Heard Around the F1 World

It started when fans began debating the controversial crash between Max and George on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. In the comment section of a fan page discussing the incident, Kelly Piquet — daughter of F1 legend Nelson Piquet and longtime partner of Verstappen — allegedly responded to a comment defending Russell’s driving style.

Her words?

“People still hyping this outdated boy? This isn’t 2020 anymore.”

Within minutes, screenshots of the comment went viral, with hashtags like #OutdatedBoy, #F1Drama, and #KellyvsGeorge trending across multiple platforms. The phrase “outdated boy” quickly became a meme, a rallying cry, and a shockwave that reverberated across the F1 community.

Fans Explode Online

F1 fans were stunned by the personal nature of the jab. While driver feuds are common in the sport, rarely do partners of the drivers step into the spotlight — especially in such a direct and public way.

One fan wrote:

“Calling George Russell an ‘outdated boy’? That’s savage. But why go there?”

Another posted:

“Kelly Piquet just started World War 3 in F1 and didn’t even blink.”

Others defended her, pointing out that the pressure Max has been under could explain her reaction. Still, many fans criticized the comment as “unnecessary,” “petty,” and “damaging.”

George Russell Responds — Classy and Ice Cold

It didn’t take long for George Russell to be asked about the viral comment during a post-race media briefing. Instead of firing back, Russell gave what many are calling the classiest clapback in F1 history.

“I don’t have time to respond to gossip,” Russell said with a calm smile. “I focus on racing, not Instagram comments. But I guess I must still be relevant if people are talking about me.”

The room reportedly went silent. Then, a few journalists started clapping.

Mercedes and Red Bull Tensions Escalate

Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes, refused to directly comment on the remark but hinted that “personal attacks have no place in the sport.” Meanwhile, Christian Horner of Red Bull defended Piquet, saying:

“Kelly is her own person. She has every right to voice her opinion, just like everyone else on social media.”

The tension between the two teams is already at an all-time high this season, and this unexpected drama has only made things worse. Behind closed doors, insiders claim the FIA is “concerned” about the rise in personal feuds spilling into the public eye.

F1 Legends Weigh In

Even retired F1 icons are chiming in. Jenson Button commented during a Sky Sports segment:

“I don’t think it helps Max’s image. He’s a fantastic driver — he doesn’t need this kind of distraction.”

Meanwhile, former world champion Nico Rosberg took a different stance:

“Let’s be honest — this is F1. Drama has always been part of the show. But yeah, calling someone an ‘outdated boy’ is pretty wild.”

Social Media Goes Into Meltdown

The “Outdated Boy” label has now taken on a life of its own. Some fans have made T-shirts. Others have edited photos of Russell into 90s-themed memes. One viral TikTok showed Russell walking into the paddock with the caption: “The most updated ‘outdated boy’ ever.”

Some have even pointed out that the comment may unintentionally boost Russell’s popularity, with one tweet reading:

“Kelly just gave George more PR in 24 hours than Mercedes’ media team in a month.”

What’s Next?

With the Canadian Grand Prix just around the corner, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Russell — not just on the track, but off it too. Will the tension boil over again? Will Kelly Piquet address the backlash?

Sources close to Piquet claim she has “no regrets” about her comment, insisting it was “a personal opinion.” Meanwhile, Red Bull’s media team is reportedly working to “refocus the narrative on performance, not personalities.”

But in Formula 1, once the drama starts rolling, it’s hard to stop.

Final Thoughts

In a sport where every second counts, sometimes it’s the off-track drama that grabs the biggest headlines. The “outdated boy” saga may have started with a single comment, but it’s now a full-blown narrative dominating the 2025 F1 season.

One thing’s for sure: George Russell may have been called outdated — but thanks to this moment, he’s never been more relevant.