Russell enjoys light-hearted exchange with ‘box-ticker’ Verstappen

George Russell and Max Verstappen enjoyed a humorous exchange on Qatar Grand Prix media day, as the Mercedes driver recalled seeing the Dutchman “nodding away” in a Las Vegas bar the morning after having wrapped up the 2024 F1 drivers’ championship.

Verstappen brought his Red Bull home in fifth place in Nevada to push the title out of reach from McLaren’s Lando Norris with two rounds to run, prompting a night of celebration in Sin City.

Speaking to media including RacingNews365, the 27-year-old claimed there was “nothing too crazy” about his partying, but did concede it was a “night slash morning” affair.

Russell, who enjoyed celebrations of his own after clinching his third career grand prix victory at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, corroborated Verstappen’s story.

It led to the newly-crowned four-time F1 drivers’ champion defending his actions with a well-established adage.

“I don’t think he [Max Verstappen] saw me, but I saw him in the bar at nine in the morning when I was leaving to the airport,” the British driver told F1, prompting the interviewer to ask nearby Verstappen to validate Russell’s account.

“Of course it’s true,” the 62-time grand prix winner could be heard calling in the background.

“He didn’t see me, he was too… he was nodding away,” Russell added.

“I was very thirsty, and it was 5pm somewhere, so…,” interjected Verstappen before he was jokingly showered in praise by his fellow racer, who concluded with: “Max is a pro racing driver, pro FIFA player, padel player, drinker. Ticks all the boxes. A man of many talents.”