The rivalry between George Russell and Max Verstappen has taken a dramatic turn after the Chinese Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver accusing the reigning world champion of “cheating” following the discovery of a “suspicious act” during the race’s aftermath.
The Chinese Grand Prix, won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, saw several drivers disqualified due to their cars being underweight, including Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly. Lewis Hamilton also faced disqualification for excessive skid wear. However, Verstappen’s actions post-race have now come under scrutiny, leading to a wave of speculation among F1 fans and prompting Russell to call for an FIA investigation.
💥 Verstappen metiendo una rueda en la hierba tras la carrera para ¿aumentar el peso?
— ElReyGuiri (@ElReyGuiri) March 24, 2025
Suspicious Behavior Raises Eyebrows
During the cool-down lap, Verstappen was caught on camera deliberately driving over the grass before entering the pit lane. This led to widespread fan theories suggesting that he may have been trying to pick up additional weight on his car to avoid a potential disqualification.
F1 fans flooded social media with reactions. One user wrote, “Max Verstappen deliberately driving over mud or grass after the Chinese Grand Prix probably to add extra weight.” Another added, “I don’t like him, but this is very smart. No different than picking up rubber. Hate the game, not the player.”
Russell Demands Investigation
Russell, who has had previous clashes with Verstappen in past seasons, did not hold back when asked about the incident. “This is not racing, this is manipulation. If the FIA is serious about enforcing fair competition, they need to look into this. It’s unacceptable for a driver to use such tactics to possibly alter post-race measurements,” Russell said.
The Mercedes driver’s comments have reignited the tension between him and Verstappen, adding fuel to a rivalry that has already seen heated exchanges on and off the track.
FIA to Review the Incident?
While the FIA has not officially announced an investigation, reports suggest that race stewards are considering reviewing Verstappen’s actions. If found guilty of any rule violation, the Red Bull driver could face penalties, potentially altering the race results.
Meanwhile, Verstappen himself dismissed the controversy, stating, “I focus on driving. People can say what they want, but I know what I did and why I did it.”
With the Japanese Grand Prix just around the corner, tensions are set to rise even further. Will the FIA take action, or will this latest chapter in the Verstappen-Russell rivalry simply add to the drama of the 2025 F1 season? Fans will be eagerly awaiting the governing body’s response.