The 2024 Formula 1 season officially wrapped up with the traditional end-of-season dinner, where all the drivers gathered for the annual event. Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, shared a fun moment with fans by posting the obligatory group photo from the dinner. He cleverly referenced the ongoing rivalry between Max Verstappen and George Russell in his caption. The dinner was organized by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
The tension between Verstappen and Russell has been one of the most talked-about storylines in F1 this year. The feud began after the 2024 Qatar GP, when Verstappen publicly criticized Russell for being “two-faced” following an incident in qualifying. Russell had voiced his concerns to the stewards about Verstappen's actions, which led to a grid penalty for the Red Bull driver.
In retaliation, Russell organized a media event at the Abu Dhabi GP, where he strongly criticized Verstappen’s behavior and comments. With the timing of the Mercedes media event coinciding with the drivers' dinner, fans were eager to see how the two competitors would interact.
Lando Norris' Captivating Caption
As expected, Lando Norris didn’t miss the opportunity to add some humor to the situation. In the caption for the group photo, Norris playfully addressed the divide between the two drivers:
“2024 dinner! and yes, the two you're thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible ”
It was evident from the photo, which was shared by Esteban Ocon, that the two rivals were seated at opposite ends of the dinner table. Verstappen sat near Norris on one side, while Russell was seated far across, next to his teammate Lewis Hamilton. This seating arrangement only added to the amusement for fans aware of the tension between the two.
F1 Drivers’ Appreciation for the Dinner Hosts
Several drivers took to social media to express their gratitude for the dinner event. Ocon thanked Hamilton for organizing the gathering, while others, including Sergio Perez, gave a nod to Valtteri Bottas, who had helped arrange the occasion in previous years. Last year, it was Hamilton himself who picked up the tab for the dinner, adding a touch of generosity to the evening.
The Feud Escalates: Verstappen Responds to Russell's Comments
Despite the light-hearted dinner moments, the rivalry between Verstappen and Russell is far from over. After Russell's media event in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen was quick to respond to the criticism.
Russell had accused Verstappen of acting aggressively during the stewards' meeting after the Qatar GP and even claimed that the Dutchman had pushed him against the wall. The Mercedes driver also pointed out that Verstappen's behavior toward him seemed to change dramatically from one day to the next, from being hostile in meetings to being overly friendly the next day.
Verstappen hit back, telling reporters at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP:
“That's not true; I didn't say it like that. He's exaggerating again. Do you know what I can't stand? The way he attacks me unacceptably with the stewards and then acts like nothing happened the next day, patting me on the shoulder. I think, 'Stay away from me.' He invents all sorts of nonsense. With me, you always get the same: here, at home, with the stewards -- I don't change. You can't say the same about everyone. But I'm not surprised by him.”
As the 2024 F1 season nears its conclusion, many are eagerly anticipating how Max Verstappen and George Russell will interact on the track during the final races.
