Dutch driver SLAMS ‘a*hle’ George Russell amidst Max Verstappen Qatar GP saga

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde criticized George Russell's behavior following Max Verstappen's Qatar GP fiasco.

Dutch driver SLAMS ‘a*hle’ George Russell amidst Max Verstappen Qatar GP saga

George Russell and Max Verstappen (via Getty Images)

Mercedes driver George Russell seemed to have a positive reputation within in the F1 paddock. Things have taken a drastic turn since the Qatar GP over Max Verstappen‘s grid penalty. Now, ex-F1 driver Giedo van der Garde has hit out at Russell’s behavior.

Verstappen was handed a grid drop for the Qatar GP after securing pole position for driving slowly in front of George Russell. The Red Bull driver was left fuming after Russell’s remarks to the stewards over the incident after Qualifying.

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Giedo van der Garde mentioned that George Russell has a habit of making drivers uneasy. The former F1 driver recalled that he often tries to put others in a problem. Russell had joked that Lando Norris would need to pay a fine after the latter said ‘s**t’ in an FIA press conference. Subsequently, van der Garde insisted that Mercedes driver was really just an ‘a**h*le.’

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Only sometimes, only when Lando said ‘shit’ in a press conference, you’d also immediately hear Russell with: ‘Okay, [that’s a] fine!’ He’s just trying to screw over everyone a bit. Probably he’s just a killer, actually he’s an a**h**e.

Giedo van der Garde said, as reported by GPBlog

George Russell still ‘loved’ by drivers despite recent drama

Giedo van der Garde highlighted that despite the controversies, Russell still had a great reputation within Formula 1. The Dutchman emphasized that George Russell would not be leading the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association if he wasn’t a good person. The Mercedes driver became the GPDA Director in 2021.

George Russell and Lando Norris
George Russell and Lando Norris (Via: Imago)

A very nice guy. He is loved by others, otherwise you would not be the director of the GPDA.

Giedo van der Garde added

Certainly, George Russell won’t have a tarnished image in the paddock after the Qatar fiasco. It is likely that the Mercedes driver will have a conversation with Max Verstappen to sort things out. Although, the two drivers will not be holding back against one another on-track anytime soon.