Kravitz recounts Russell used live interview to challenge Verstappen

Television reporter Ted Kravitz says George Russell deliberately sought to use a live interview at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to publicly challenge Max Verstappen over a qualifying clash a week earlier in Qatar. Kravitz recounts in his new book that Russell asked him to press for a follow-up question in the media pen so the Mercedes driver could "give it back to Max" and call out what he described as "bullying tactics."

The exchange traces back to a Qatar qualifying incident in which Russell took evasive action and Verstappen received a grid penalty. The incident was reviewed by the stewards and prompted sharp comments from Verstappen, who later said he had "lost all respect" for Russell. Four days later in Abu Dhabi, Russell told Kravitz he had "had enough" of being badmouthed and wanted to respond on the record, according to the book.

Kravitz describes approaching the interview with caution, checking whether Russell really intended to escalate the matter and noting that drivers are normally allotted a single question in that TV pen format. Russell told him he was positive and was willing to field additional questions, Kravitz writes. The book presents this moment as a...