George Russell has revealed how members of the Mercedes team received emails from Dutch Formula 1 fans amidst his feud with Max Verstappen.
Qualifying for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix led to an end-of-season squabble between Verstappen and Russell.
The Red Bull driver was enraged by the ‘antics’ of his rival in the stewards’ room after he was penalised for a near miss in the session that lost him pole position.
In defence, Russell hit back at the Dutchman which eventually escalated with the involvement of Team Principals Toto Wolff and Christian Horner.
Since then, the quarrel between the two has calmed down, but the arrival of the F1 75 live event raised questions over whether it would spill over into 2025.
Russell admitted that his dispute with Verstappen overstepped the mark, as he vowed to draw a line under his fight with the reigning World Champion.
Jack Whitehall, the host of the live event at London’s O2 arena, felt it was the right time to joke about the grudge between the two after the comedian commented on Verstappen’s enthusiasm for being in attendance at the show.
He said: “Cheer up Max, it could have been worse, we didn’t seat you next to George Russell!”
Whilst he can smile about it now, Russell touched on the backlash his team faced due to his argument with Verstappen.
“I have got to be honest, I didn’t see any of it myself, but I do know there was a lot of criticism out there,” the 27-year-old told Autosport.
“I know members of my team were receiving emails from Dutch fans.
“But I think that’s a part of sport and life, really, isn’t it.”
When asked about Russell’s comment, Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week: “It’s fine.”
Russell reveals attitude towards reading online comments
The three-time Grand Prix winner continued to talk about the negative aspects of being an F1 driver.
Russell explained how he ignores any outside noise – whether it is positive or negative – due to the “emotional impact” it has on him.
“That’s something we accept,” he added.
“And you can choose to read it and let it have an emotional impact on you, even if you laugh at the comments, that has an impact on you.
“So I just have this view and mentality that even with the positive comments, does it actually make me drive faster?
“Probably not, and there are more negative than positive most of the time, so I do really try and avoid it.”
Russell heads into 2025 as the lead Mercedes driver, after the departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.
Formula 2 graduate Andrea Kimi Antonelli joins the team as one of six rookies on the upcoming season’s grid.
READ MORE: George Russell admits dispute with Max Verstappen overstepped the mark in 2024
