Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, George Russell, Red Bull Racing, Mercedes
Fans have been left in stitches after spotting Max Verstappen's reaction to Jack Whitehall's awkward joke during the F1 75 event.
After two months, F1 fans finally got their first taste of the 2025 season at the F1 75 launch event at the O2 Arena in London.
All 10 teams and 20 drivers were present at the event to show off their cars for the season and answer questions from the media and comedian Whitehall who hosted the evening.
During the show, Whitehall took the opportunity to take small digs at all of the drivers, leading to one incredibly awkward moment with reigning champion Verstappen.
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In the final weeks of the 2024 season, Verstappen was involved in a series of very public clashes with rival driver George Russell over several incidents on track.
It became clear that, unlike most of the grid, the two drivers were not friends, leading to them sitting on opposite ends of the table during the annual end of season dinner involving all of the drivers.
But with both the Dutchman and Mercedes star in the room on Tuesday evening, Whitehall took his opportunity to aim a dig at the pair's beef, and Verstappen's reaction was priceless.
Speaking directly to the F1 Champion, Whitehall said: “Cheer up Max, it could’ve been worse, we didn’t see you next to George Russell. Where is George? Have you two kissed and made up yet?"
Once Whitehall made the joke, the cameras immediately cut to Verstappen who was sat at a table alongside Christian Horner and the rest of the Red Bull F1 team.
The Dutchman acknowledged the joke with a slight grimace before nodding and smiling at Whitehall's quick jab.
The cameras then switched to Russell who was clearly very pleased about Whitehall putting his rival on the spot a bit, as he eagerly nodded his head with a massive grin.
Speaking earlier in the day, Russell admitted that he and Verstappen "hadn't spoken" over the winter, and that they would likely never be friends again.
"I've got no intentions [to], to be honest," the Mercedes driver admitted to BBC Radio 5 Live.
"That happened last year. I want to focus on myself. Things got out of line last year. That was then. We are not going to go back to being best mates, that's for sure."
