George Russell has claimed that Michael Masi would’ve been “fearing for his life” had Max Verstappen lost the 2021 Formula 1 title in the manner Lewis Hamilton did.
Russell and Verstappen have become embroiled in a volatile exchange that ensued in Qatar from the Red Bull driver being handed a one-place grid drop for impeding.
Verstappen was enraged as he alleged that Russell lobbied to get him punished, leading him to double down on the stance that he has “lost respect” towards his rival.
However, Russell, who wasn’t given a chance to respond at the time, labelled the comments “disrespectful” and revealed that Verstappen threatened to crash into him.
The Briton, speaking in his pre-race weekend media appearance in Abu Dhabi, expressed that such comments showcase that Verstappen “cannot deal with adversity”.
Russell pointed to that to declare that the Dutchman would’ve had a meltdown towards ex-FIA Race Director Masi had the roles been reversed in the 2021 showdown.
Verstappen seized his maiden title at the Yas Marina Circuit that season as Hamilton was denied the crown when Masi contravened the Safety Car restart regulations.
Asked whether Verstappen’s aggressive tactics have been enabled by not being dealt with in the past, Russell told media including Motorsport Week: “I think he’s been enabled because nobody has stood up to him.
“Lewis stood up to him in 2021. And Lewis lost that championship unfairly.
“Could you imagine the roles being reversed? Max losing that championship and the man of that Lewis. Lewis lost that championship.
“I mean, Masi would be fearing for his life.
“As I said, some of the recent incidents, he has been punished. And he punished himself.
“Mexico with the reckless overtakes [on Lando Norris]. Budapest with the reckless overtake [on Hamilton].
“But it’s just in the past. He has [had] such a dominant car. He’s not been in this position.
“So, I think the FIA are pretty on it now. And I don’t think much needs to change from their viewpoint because he’s going to punish himself one way or another.”
Russell lauds Hamilton’s approach
Russell, who has partnered Hamilton since 2022, thinks his compatriot’s racing approach is an example of how a driver can be tough whilst remaining within the rules.
“When I compare his actions to the ones of Lewis, Lewis is the sort of World Champion who I aspire to be like,” he added.
“The way he fought Max in ’21 is hard. Very hard, [but] it’s fair. But never beyond the line. And I think we’ve also got a duty as drivers.
“I’ve got an eight-year-old nephew who’s just started go-karting, who watches all of my races, watches TikTok, watches YouTube.
“For a World Champion to come out saying he’s going to go out of his way to crash into someone and put them on their effing head, that is not the sort of role model we should be.”
READ MORE – George Russell reveals Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him in Qatar
