Max Verstappen has made it clear he has no real interest in revisiting the controversy with George Russell that closed out his 2024 championship-winning marketing campaign.
Max Verstappen has made it clear he has no real interest in revisiting the controversy with George Russell that closed out his 2024 championship-winning marketing campaign.
Regardless of securing his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, Verstappen was the topic of harsh criticism from Russell over a qualifying incident on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Russell just lately reignited the subject, admitting he had no communication with Verstappen over the winter break and has “no intentions” of doing so.
“Clearly issues, I felt, obtained out of line final 12 months,” the Briton mentioned. “I made it fairly clear that I am not going to take it.”
Nonetheless, Verstappen was unmoved by Russell’s feedback, refusing to re-engage within the dispute in any way.
“Truthfully, I’ve no intention to proceed any type of beef in February,” he mentioned.
“Like, I am nonetheless having fun with my time truly away from System 1, and simply preparing for the season. I’ve actually nothing to say about that topic.”
Verstappen is not the one driver going through heightened competitors speak forward of the 2025 season. McLaren‘s Lando Norris, who completed runner-up final 12 months, has already signalled his intent to problem Verstappen extra aggressively on monitor.
“I have to get my elbows out and I want to point out him that I am not going to willingly give him positions,” Norris said.
Even with mounting stress amongst his rivals, Verstappen stays centered on himself moderately than partaking in pre-season thoughts video games.
“I favor to simply give attention to myself,” the Dutchman mentioned. “That is the one factor I can management, that is what I will at all times do.
“Once I’m away, I do not actually take into consideration my rivals or no matter. I simply dwell my life. That is the one factor I can say actually.”