Labelled a backstabber, that’s a tough pill to swallow. George Russell recently found himself on the receiving end of this accusation from Max Verstappen, with whom he is embroiled in an ongoing feud. And the criticism doesn’t just come from Verstappen. Russell’s behaviour both on and off the track has frequently caused a stir. From ignoring team orders to causing crashes – and then not taking responsibility: Russell seems to be a magnet for drama and controversy.
Meanwhile, there are also the results. His actions often have a strategic value that cannot be ignored. These two extremes raise the question: is George Russell a brilliant strategist who creatively maximises his opportunities? Or a ‘backstabber’ who will stop at nothing for his own success? We delve into four notable incidents to uncover the real George Russell.
Incident 1: Verstappen vs. Russell – Abu Dhabi 2024
The most recent flare-up: during the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, Russell pointed out to the stewards that Verstappen was driving too slowly and therefore deserved a penalty. He was proven right, but Verstappen was furious and accused Russell of hypocrisy and ‘political behaviour’. The dust has yet to settle…
- Backstabber? Initially, George Russell seemed to be pushing for a penalty for Verstappen, but then he took it a step further. By making insinuations about Verstappen’s behavior in the media, he appeared to be deliberately trying to tarnish the driver’s reputation to protect his own image. However, his suggestion that Verstappen had threatened him was denied by many. A deliberate smear campaign? It certainly seemed so.
- Brilliant? At the same time, this incident demonstrates Russell’s deep understanding of the rules and his ability to use them strategically. The fact that the stewards sided with him not only makes this effective but also ingenious. He managed to gain an advantage without doing anything wrong himself.
- Judgment: Both. Although his actions in the media were not classy and could be seen as backstabbing, this move also had a touch of brilliance. Russell was vindicated and, due to Verstappen’s time penalty, moved up to third place. This earned his team, Mercedes, valuable points in the constructors’ championship.
Incident 2: Bottas vs. Russell – Imola 2021
During a rainy race in Imola, Russell attempted to overtake Valtteri Bottas in his Williams. The attempt ended in a severe crash, disabling both cars. What followed was equally controversial: Russell did not apologize but instead openly accused Bottas of dangerous driving. Russell even angrily tapped on Bottas’ helmet after the crash.
- Backstabber? Russell’s reaction was seen as arrogant and disrespectful by many. At the time, he was a rookie in a Williams, while Bottas was an experienced driver in a Mercedes. The fact that Russell publicly criticized Bottas instead of taking responsibility put him in a bad light with many.
- Brilliant? Although this incident gave a glimpse of his ambition and determination, it’s hard to see it as brilliant due to the crash. It mainly highlighted Russell’s inexperience.
- Judgment: By pointing fingers after a crash in which he played a significant role, this incident leans towards Backstabber.
Incident 3: Russell vs. Hamilton – Saudi Arabia 2023
During the race in Saudi Arabia, Russell completely refused to comply with Mercedes’ team orders, leading to tensions with teammate Lewis Hamilton. The incident fueled speculation about the dynamics within the team and who the real leader at Mercedes is.
- Backstabber? This behavior was seen as selfish by many fans. Particularly for someone with the potential to become the future leader of Mercedes, ignoring team orders was damaging to his reputation within the team. It came across as a sign that George Russell was thinking more about himself than the team.
- Brilliant? At the same time, Russell made it clear that he does not want to be just a second driver. By challenging team orders, he positioned himself as an equal force within Mercedes.
- Judgement: Backstabber. Even if it was strategically intended, this action damaged Russell’s chances of becoming the undisputed leader of team Mercedes.
Incident 4: Verstappen vs. Russell – Baku Sprint Race 2023
The recent incident was not the first clash between Verstappen and Russell. During the sprint qualification in Azerbaijan, Russell and Verstappen also collided. Verstappen suffered damage and called Russell an “amateur” in a sharp outburst after the race. Russell defended his actions and stated that it was “hard but fair racing”. And that sounds familiar: isn’t that what Verstappen is continuously doing now?
- Backstabber? It is questionable whether this incident can be seen as ‘backstabbing’, as Verstappen himself started with a personal attack. This seems more like an example of Verstappen’s temperament than Russell’s cunning.
- Brilliant? Russell fought hard for his position and refused to back down, even against a reigning world champion. In a sprint format, where every position counts, this was exactly the mentality needed.
- Judgement: Although the moment itself seemed more like a natural racing moment, recent statements from Russell have given this incident a sequel. Ironically, Russell recently criticized Verstappen’s driving style, now it was suddenly not “hard but fair racing”. This attitude is seen as quite hypocritical by many, which pulls the whole thing towards Backstabber.
Conclusion: Who is the real George Russell?
George Russell embodies the thin line between brilliant strategy and controversial behavior. Incidents like Abu Dhabi 2024 show that he is not only a master at playing political games and seizing opportunities, but also does not shy away from slander and dirty tricks to get what he wants.
What is certain is that Russell possesses qualities that are characteristic of great drivers: he achieves results, takes risks, and does not shy away from confrontations—both on and off the track. Several great champions, such as Verstappen and Hamilton, have received similar criticism early in their careers for their aggressive driving style and selfish behavior. Is Russell then cut from the right cloth? Or does he cross a line of decency? What do you think?
