F1 News
Verstappen and Russell put side by side by GPDA: 'The other drivers wanted that'
- Nicole Mulder
GPDA President Alexander Wurz explained why Verstappen and Russell were made to be next to each other when the entire grid took a photo together in Abu Dhabi. The Austrian explained it was the other drivers' idea to make that happen.
Verstappen and Russell put next to each other on purpose
"The other drivers suggested it," Wurz revealed about the moment to ORF. "They said they don't have to agree with each other and they don't have to be friends, but they wanted to send a signal to the outside world and to our fans, the sport, but also the people at home."
He continued: "You don't always have to be united and there will always be hard fights, both on the track and in the stewards' office. But at some point we want to show that as drivers we are united for the cause, for the sport, for safety and for the fans."
"And that was this photo, which went off without a hitch and was met with great applause. All 20 drivers were happy. Whether they become friends, are friends or not, whether it is all good again, that was not part of this. They have to decide that for themselves. They are old and mature enough and that's how it went," Wurz concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
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