Max Verstappen and George Russell feud reignited ahead of 2025 season as fresh dig aimed at Mercedes star

The feud between Max Verstappen and George Russell has been reignited after a fresh jibe was aimed at the Mercedes star.

Towards the end of the 2024 season, Verstappen and Russell engaged in a war of words after their incident at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Verstappen produced a stunning lap to seal pole position but was then summoned to the stewards for driving too slowly in preparation for his fast lap.

At the time, Mercedes driver Russell was right behind the Dutchman and called his driving "super dangerous" on his team radio.

In the end, Verstappen was handed a grid penalty and had one penalty point added to his super license.

A week later, the pair's feud escalated at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Verstappen slammed Russell again, calling him a 'loser' in yet another explosive interview.

Russell himself also had his own say, with the 27-year-old branding Verstappen as a 'bully'.

Ahead of the 2025 season, the pair's feud was brought up during the F1 75 event, with host and comedian Jack Whitehall making a joke in front of the pair.

Verstappen had made it clear that he had 'no intention' to continue the beef with the Brit.

However, the Dutchman's partner, Kelly Piquet's brother, Nelson Jr, has aimed a fresh dig at Russell.

George Russell and Max Verstappen made headlines at the end of the 2024 season. Image: Getty

George Russell hit with fresh jibe after Max Verstappen feud

While speaking to former F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi on the Pelas Pistas podcast, the pair spoke about the current state of the sport.

As reported by Planet F1, Nelson Jr said: "It’s not right. This new generation of F1 drivers, they almost have to act during the interviews.

"When someone asks, ‘what did you think of the incident?’ Then half of the answers look like this: ‘no, I’m very happy to be here, my favourite country, this and that. Oh, the incident? No, we’re going to fix that, everything’s fine’.

"You don’t really hear the person say what they feel or think. I think the only place where that still happens is in NASCAR. The only one who sometimes goes off the beaten track is Max. He says what he thinks. Alonso sometimes too.."

Speaking about Russell, Nelson Jr added: "Well, he says things while he… He already plans everything. He comes from a generation that is already like this, plus he learned that from [Lewis] Hamilton. Everything he says is calculating. He thinks about everything."

At this point, Fittipaldi said: "He looks like a Playmobil doll. You could also compare him to Thunderbirds," to which Nelson Jr replied: "Or Chicken Run, maybe?"

The 2025 F1 season will begin with the Australian Grand Prix, which will be held around Albert Park in Melbourne on March 16.