Tensions between System 1 champion Max Verstappen and fellow driver George Russell are heating up forward of Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Addressing ESPN and some different media shops Thursday, Russell alleged that Verstappen threatened to “purposefully exit of his method to crash into me and ‘put me on my (expletive) head within the wall,'” forward of final week’s race in Qatar.
The Mercedes driver was responding to feedback made by Pink Bull’s Verstappen within the stewards’ room after an incident throughout final week’s qualifying. Verstappen misplaced his pole place after receiving a one-place grid penalty for blocking Russell throughout qualifying.
After Verstappen went on to win the race, he accused Russell of being two-faced throughout an interview for Dutch TV.
“You recognize what it’s? He acts respectable in entrance of the digicam right here, however while you discuss to him personally, he’s a special individual,” Verstappen stated. “… I am unable to stand that. In that case you may higher (expletive) off.”
On Thursday, Russell stated it was “fairly ironic” that Verstappen would query his integrity.
“I am not going to sit down right here and settle for it,” Russell stated. “Individuals have been bullied by Max for years now, and you may’t query his driving talents. However he can not take care of adversity.
“Every time something has gone in opposition to him … he lashes out. Budapest this yr, the very first race the automotive wasn’t dominant, crashing into Lewis (Hamilton), slamming his workforce. … As I stated, for me, these feedback on Saturday evening and Sunday had been completely disrespectful and pointless.
“As a result of what occurs on monitor, we struggle laborious, that is a part of racing. What occurs within the stewards’ room, you struggle laborious, nevertheless it’s by no means private. However he is taken it too far now.”
Pink Bull Racing didn’t instantly reply to ESPN’s request for remark.
Verstappen, 27, clinched his fourth consecutive world championship this season on the energy of 9 wins and 19 top-five finishes.
Russell, 26, ranks sixth within the F1 standings after recording two wins and 11 top-five finishes through the 2024 season.
–Discipline Stage Media