Red Bull Racing hits back at angry Russell with cheeky reply

Red Bull Racing took a playful jab at George Russell on social media after the Mercedes driver threw his headrest in frustration following a DNF at the Canadian Grand Prix. The team's official X account quoted Russell's own words from a 2024 interview, where he accused Max Verstappen of displaying "unnecessary anger and borderline violence."

Why it matters:

The exchange reignites a simmering rivalry between Russell and Verstappen that dates back to the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. Red Bull's response, while lighthearted, underscores the lingering tension between the two drivers and their teams.

The details:

• Russell retired on Lap 31 after a battle with teammate Kimi Antonelli. Frustrated, he threw his headrest out of the car.
• A fan post on X noted the incident, prompting Red Bull Racing to reply: "borderline something something" — a direct reference to Russell's description of Verstappen's behavior.
• The stewards fined Russell €5,000, but the penalty is suspended for 12 months, conditional on no similar offense. Russell apologized publicly.

What's next:

Russell now trails Antonelli by 43 points in the drivers' standings after five rounds. The on-track tension between Mercedes and Red Bull is likely to persist as the season progresses.