The Formula 1 world has recently been rocked by a striking statement from Mercedes driver George Russell about Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion and crowd-pleaser from the Netherlands. In an interview with The Times , Russell, who will be driving for Mercedes in his fourth season in 2025, suggested that despite his unparalleled success, Verstappen might not have been the dominant force in a different era of the sport. The statement, which has been met with both admiration and criticism, has sparked heated debate among fans on platforms such as X, where the Russell-Verstappen rivalry is once again in the spotlight.
Russell, who cemented his position as Mercedes’ leader in 2024 following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, began his remarks by praising Verstappen. “Max is an exceptional driver. He’s won four titles in a row, and that deserves respect. This is his era,” he said. However, he added that Verstappen’s success has largely been down to Red Bull Racing’s dominant car since the 2022 rule changes. “If this was a different era, with a more level playing field, drivers like me would have had more chances to win and to win titles,” Russell noted, referring to his own potential to win more than the three grands prix he has won so far.
The British driver, who took two victories in Austria and Las Vegas in 2024, stressed that modern Formula 1 is heavily reliant on car performance. “In a different era, without Red Bull’s dominance, I might have had 20 wins and poles,” he said, recalling the frustrations he experienced while driving at the back of the grid at Williams and later at Mercedes, where he was often overshadowed by Verstappen’s dominance. The comments have led to speculation that Russell believes Verstappen is less suited to an era of closer team proximity, which Formula 1 is likely to see in 2026 under new regulations.
The rivalry between Russell and Verstappen is not new. In 2024, their tension escalated during the Qatar Grand Prix, where Russell felt Verstappen was obstructing him during qualifying. It led to a heated exchange, with Verstappen accusing Russell of unsportsmanlike conduct and even calling him a “trickster”. Russell fired back by calling Verstappen a “sore loser” and pointed to his aggressive driving style in previous seasons, particularly in 2021 against Hamilton. “Max has often pushed the boundaries, sometimes over them. Only Lewis dared to challenge him,” Russell told Autosport Magazine , suggesting that Verstappen’s success has partly come from a lack of consistent opposition.
On social media, like X, fans have had mixed reactions. Some, like @F1FanNL, are supportive of Verstappen, calling Russell’s comments “jealous whining,” while others, like @RacingPulse, appreciate Russell speaking openly about the dynamics of the sport. Verstappen’s fans point to his ability to win the title even in 2024, when Red Bull was less dominant, as evidence of his versatility. Still, Russell has a point: Formula 1 is a sport where the car often outweighs the driver, and Verstappen’s successes are inextricably linked to Red Bull’s technical superiority.
With rookie Kimi Antonelli set to join him as a teammate in 2025, Russell faces a pivotal phase in his career as he hopes to return Mercedes to the top, especially after the team showed signs of recovery in 2024. His comments about Verstappen appear to be partly an attempt to position himself as a serious title contender should the field become more level in 2026. In the meantime, Verstappen, who recently became a father, remains focused on his goals with Red Bull as they seek a comeback after a challenging 2024.
Russell’s statement has divided the Formula 1 community, but it underscores the complexity of success in the sport. While Verstappen dominates his era, Russell looks to a future where he can make his own mark. The rivalry between these two talents promises to be a lot of fireworks in the years to come.
