(Motorsport-Total.com) – A radio message from Max Verstappen to his Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase caused a stir on social media after the qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
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During qualifying, the four-time Formula 1 world champion apparently already expected a complaint from his Mercedes rival George Russell – which, however, never came. When the drivers left the pit lane, Verstappen radioed his team: “George will probably start whining on the radio again soon about an unsafe release. But there was absolutely nothing unsafe.”
At least as far as could be heard on the TV broadcast, Russell did not complain about the situation at the pit exit afterwards – unlike what Verstappen jokingly predicted earlier.
The radio message then caused numerous reactions on social media. “Doesn’t matter. Gets hated. Be like George,” commented a fan on Reddit. Another wrote: “I guess it’s just a bit of teasing. But I bet it wouldn’t be seen as so funny if George had said something like that.”
Another user viewed the situation more critically: “It was a bit embarrassing for Verstappen when Russell’s radio was broadcast and he instead asked about the weather. The people he used to provoke have simply matured and no longer engage in his games.”
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Another comment read: “Complaining that a rival will probably complain about a just happened situation – only for that rival then not to complain at all. My favorite radio message of 2026. Well done, GR.”
Other fans, on the other hand, liked Verstappen’s jab: “I like Max’s radio messages just because GP always stays so calm. Very funny from Max,” it said. Other comments included: “I love cheeky Max” and “Max is just too funny.”
Sportingly, Verstappen had less reason to laugh in qualifying. McLaren driver Lando Norris secured pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix (Here is the starting grid!). Next to him, Russell will start from the front row. Verstappen, on the other hand, did not get beyond seventh place at his home Grand Prix. His Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson, who stepped in for the injured Isack Hadjar, starts right next to him from position 8.
The Dutch Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 3:00 PM CEST (Here is the Formula 1 live ticker from Zandvoort!).
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