Alex Wurz, president of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association), has confirmed that he deliberately placed Max Verstappen and George Russell together in the photo showing the 20 F1 drivers in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen and Russell had a public altercation in the media throughout the Grand Prix weekend, and, during the final race weekend of the season, the GPDA released an image including all 20 drivers.
People were quick to point out that Verstappen and Russell were together, up front.
"It was absolutely intentional," confirmed Wurz to Formula1 DE.
“This was agreed with all the pilots, all 20 members who were present at the meeting.”
“It’s very important for me to say: ‘Guys, the sport is bigger than the individual and the GPDA is bigger than the individual members’.”
“The GPDA is the platform that allows us to work together in the interests of drivers, safety, the sport and fans.”
“To set the tone, I also said: ‘Pictures are worth a thousand words, come and stay together. You don’t need to hug, shake hands and kiss, even if all the everyone wanted it.”
The GPDA, which was created decades ago, allows drivers to collectively express their issues from a competitor’s perspective.
Wurz claimed the photo with Verstappen and Russell side by side was a “signal” that the drivers are united over their concerns on the track.
But the Austrian stressed that the GPDA had no intention of acting as mediator to end the row.
“No, I really don’t want to do that then. They have to do it themselves.”
“They’re mature enough to do it, maybe in the winter. I only saw myself here in my position with the GPDA, and that was intentional.”
“If anyone asked me, of course I would. But even then, it’s too early to intervene now. I thought it was important first and foremost that they both realize that the GPDA wants to show the outside world that we are united.”
“Despite everything, we are united. But there comes a time when we have to send a signal: we respect each other, for the fans and for safety. And there is no more discussion. Nor a side nor the other.”
Furthermore, Verstappen’s management also advised his driver to bring the controversy down a notch, or even two. Indeed, a pilot who accuses another pilot of wanting to drive him into the wall can have consequences. Which would explain why Max was inclined on Sunday night to talk to George over the winter.
