Ex-Red Bull junior claims Verstappen has been 'villainised' in feud with 'calculated' Russell

Max Verstappen has been "villainised" by the media and George Russel is "very calculated", Formula E driver Dan Ticktum has claimed.

The 25-year-old, who races for Cupra Kiro in the all-electric series, drew parallels between himself the "outspoken" Dutchman, having suffered a "similar fate".

Ticktum has long been considered a controversial character in motorsport for multiple indiscretions, including - most seriously - being handed a two-year ban (one year suspended) from all racing in 2015 for purposefully crashing into another driver during a round of British F4.

More recently, the former Red Bull and Williams junior has gone viral for his outbursts via team radio in Formula E, something he has received significant flak for.

In 2019, the Briton came close to securing a full-time drive in F1 with Toro Rosso, but missed out on the seat to Daniil Kyvat.

Ticktum, who like Verstappen races under the number 33, is in Sao Paulo for the 2024-25 Formula E curtain raiser where he was asked about the hostilities between Russell and the four-time F1 drivers' champion.

"I haven't seen what the details of this are, but like I said to you before we were recording, I'm Team Max, no matter what," Ticktum told TalkSport.

"I've met him a few times, obviously, when I did work at Red Bull. I think he's definitely been villainised by the media quite a lot because he's outspoken, and I've sort of had a similar fate, albeit on much smaller level.

"But, I don't know, I feel like George is a very calculated - sort of plays the game - kind of guy most of the time.

"I just like Max more than George... He's [Verstappen] the best in the world."