Ricciardo Warns Russell Amid.....

Ricciardo Warns Russell Amid…read more

Daniel Ricciardo has issued a stern warning to George Russell regarding his ongoing feud with Max Verstappen. The two drivers have been locked in a bitter war of words ever since the penultimate race of the 2024 Formula 1 season in Qatar, with tensions escalating both on and off the track.

The controversy began during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix, when Verstappen was penalized for driving too slowly during a crucial part of the session. The stewards deemed his actions to be unnecessarily obstructive, leading to a one-place grid penalty for the Dutch driver ahead of the race. This decision saw Mercedes’ George Russell, who had been blocked by Verstappen on the track, elevated to pole position.

Russell, understandably frustrated by the incident, did not hold back in voicing his displeasure. He was particularly angered by the perceived lack of sportsmanship from Verstappen, which led to a heated exchange between the two. After the session, Russell made his feelings known in the stewards’ room, where he openly criticized Verstappen’s actions. Verstappen, for his part, responded by claiming he had “lost all respect” for his fellow driver.

Not one to back down, Russell swiftly fired back at Verstappen’s comments, accusing the 2024 world champion of bullying him. He also alleged that Verstappen had threatened him in the aftermath of the on-track incident at the Lusail International Circuit. This exchange of words only fueled the growing animosity between the two drivers, and their rivalry became one of the key talking points heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

While Verstappen’s comments were seen as a sign of his frustration with Russell’s public criticism, Russell’s rebuttal suggested that the tension between the two had reached a boiling point. Throughout the weekend in Qatar, both drivers refused to back down, with their feud dominating much of the pre-race discussion. The situation became so intense that it overshadowed some of the other storylines heading into the final race of the season.

Ricciardo, who is no stranger to the intense world of Formula 1 rivalries, weighed in on the situation during an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast. The Australian driver, who has not competed in F1 since being replaced by Lando Norris at McLaren in 2023, reflected on the exchange between Russell and Verstappen. Having been teammates with Verstappen at Red Bull in 2016 and 2017, Ricciardo is familiar with the dynamics between the two drivers and offered an interesting perspective on the feud.

“It’s great television, isn’t it?” Ricciardo said, acknowledging the entertainment value of the conflict. “It’s the first time I’ve seen George angry.” Ricciardo’s comment highlights just how rare it is to see Russell, typically known for his calm and composed demeanor, visibly upset. This, according to Ricciardo, shows just how much the tensions between him and Verstappen have escalated.

Ricciardo then offered a piece of advice to Russell, suggesting that the young Mercedes driver might want to think twice before continuing to take digs at Verstappen. “Not at the moment, it’s a tough battle to win,” Ricciardo remarked when asked whether he would advise Russell to keep pushing back against Verstappen. The warning reflects Ricciardo’s understanding of Verstappen’s resilience and the difficult nature of taking on the 2024 world champion, who has dominated the sport in recent years.

Despite Ricciardo’s advisory tone, his comments were also a reminder of the deep-rooted rivalries and psychological battles that often accompany high-level motorsport. Ricciardo, who enjoyed success at Red Bull before his move to Renault and later McLaren, is no stranger to the mental challenges of competing at the top level. He is well aware of the risks involved when it comes to antagonizing a driver of Verstappen’s caliber.

As for Ricciardo’s own future, he remains out of the F1 spotlight after being replaced by Oscar Piastri at McLaren in 2023. Since then, he has taken a break from the sport, although rumors have persisted that he could make a return in the coming seasons. Ricciardo has kept his cards close to his chest, neither confirming nor denying these speculations as he explores his options. However, his involvement in the podcast and his continued engagement with the F1 world suggests that he is still closely monitoring the developments in the sport.

The ongoing feud between Russell and Verstappen is likely to be a storyline that continues to unfold in the coming months. With both drivers unwilling to back down, it will be interesting to see how their rivalry develops and whether it has any impact on their respective performances in the 2025 season. For now, Ricciardo’s warning to Russell serves as a reminder of just how tough the mental battles in F1 can be, especially when taking on a driver as formidable as Max Verstappen.