Breaking News: Christian Horner fires back at George Russell after ‘unpleasant’ Red Bull’s…read more
Christian Horner Hits Back at George Russell Over Red Bull Criticism
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has responded sharply to George Russell’s claims regarding team morale within Max Verstappen’s camp. The Mercedes driver alleged that Verstappen’s behavior, particularly during the Hungarian Grand Prix, led to significant dissatisfaction among Red Bull’s engineering team, resulting in an alleged exodus of staff.
Russell, during a heated exchange at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, accused Verstappen of being unable to handle pressure when not driving the fastest car. He cited the Hungarian Grand Prix incident, where Verstappen collided with Lewis Hamilton, as evidence of the Dutchman’s inability to maintain composure in challenging situations.
“I’m not questioning Max’s driving abilities,” Russell stated. “But the moment he doesn’t have the fastest car, like in Budapest, he crashes into Lewis, lashes out at his team, and completely loses control. After that race, I heard that about 25 percent of his engineering team started looking elsewhere, submitting applications to Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin. They said they couldn’t work with someone like that.”
These comments follow earlier tensions between Russell and Verstappen. The Red Bull driver previously labeled Russell “two-faced” after an incident at the Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen felt the Brit’s public statements contradicted what was discussed privately in the stewards’ room.
Horner, however, dismissed Russell’s allegations, suggesting the Mercedes driver should focus on more pertinent issues. “George should worry about other things rather than spreading rumors about Red Bull,” Horner stated. He emphasized that the team remains strong and united, pointing to their unprecedented dominance throughout the 2023 season as evidence of a healthy working environment.
Red Bull secured their third consecutive Constructors’ Championship, with Verstappen clinching his third Drivers’ Championship title after a record-breaking campaign. Despite occasional frustrations aired over team radio, Horner maintains that Verstappen has an excellent rapport with his engineers and that the claims of staff leaving are baseless.
The ongoing feud between Russell and Verstappen highlights the intense rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull, with verbal clashes adding to the drama both on and off the track. As Formula 1 prepares for the 2024 season, these tensions are likely to persist, keeping fans eager for more action.
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