Details of staged Verstappen-Russell group photo disclosed

Alex Wurz, chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), has confirmed he deliberately placed Max Verstappen and George Russell together in the picture featuring all 20 F1 drivers in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen and Russell had a public spat through the media throughout the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.

The feud escalated from an incident that occurred one week prior in Qatar, with Verstappen taking issue with Russell's aggressive push for a penalty to be issued to the Red Bull driver post-qualifying.

During the final race weekend of the campaign, the GPDA published an image that consisted of all 20 drivers. 

People were quick to point out Verstappen and Russell paired together at the front.

“That was absolutely on purpose,” Wurz confirmed, speaking to Formule1.de. “It was agreed with all the drivers, the 20 members who were 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 for us to work together in the interest of the drivers, safety, the sport and the fans.

“To set the tone I also said, 'Pictures say more than a thousand words, just come and stand together. You don't have to hug each other, you don't have to shake hands, and you don't have to kiss each other, even though everyone else wanted to'.”

The GPDA, which was formed several decades ago, allows the drivers to collectively voice their issues from a competitor's point of view.

Wurz asserted the picture with Verstappen and Russell alongside one another was a “signal” that the drivers are united regarding their concerns on the track.

But the Austrian stressed that the GPDA has no intention of acting as a mediator to put the quarrel to bed.

“No, I really don't want to do that in this case,” he said. “They have to do it themselves. 

“They are mature enough to do that, maybe in the winter. I only saw myself here in my position within the GPDA, and that was on purpose. 

“If someone asked me, I would of course do it. But even then it is too early to intervene now. I thought it was important first of all that they both realise 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. Not from either side.”