Formula One feud explodes as Max Verstappen and George Russell trade barbs

There’s one race left in the Formula One calendar – but the action has reached boiling point off the track, with champion Max Verstappen’s feud with George Russell taken to the next level.

George Russell on Thursday accused Max Verstappen of threatening to deliberately crash into him, after the Dutchman refused to back down over his criticism of the Mercedes driver.

Russell accused Verstappen of blocking him dangerously during qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix last week, a claim that resulted in a stewards’ investigation and Verstappen losing pole position to Russell.

The Red Bull driver said ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Russell had lied to the stewards and that he had “no regrets” over his comments in Doha, when he said he had “lost all respect” for the Briton.

Russell hit back at Verstappen’s latest tirade, saying the four-time world champion was a bully who threatened to crash into him on purpose.

“I find it all quite ironic considering (that on) Saturday night he said he’s going to purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and, quote, ‘Put me on my (expletive) head in the wall’,” said the Mercedes driver.

The feud between Max Verstappen (R) and George Russell has reached boiling point. Picture: Getty

“So to question someone’s integrity as a person while saying comments like that the day before, I find very ironic.

“I’m not going to sit here and accept it. People have been bullied by Max for years now and you can’t question his driving abilities, but he can’t deal with adversity.

“Whenever anything has gone against him... he lashes out. Budapest this year, the very first race his car wasn’t dominant, crashing into Lewis, slamming his team.

“For me, those comments on Saturday night and Sunday were totally disrespectful and unnecessary because what happens on track – and we fight hard – it’s part of racing... But he’s taken it too far now.”

George Russell and Max Verstappen have had some spirited on-track battles this year. Picture: Getty

Verstappen went on to claim victory in Qatar from second on the grid alongside Russell who, he claimed, had persuaded the stewards to penalise him.

“I have no regrets at all, because I meant everything I said,” said Verstappen.

“If I had to do it again, maybe I would have said even more! “Knowing the outcome of the race, I still can’t believe that someone can be like that in the stewards’ room.

“For me, that was so unacceptable because, I mean, we are all racing drivers.

“We have a lot of respect for each other. We even play sports together, travel together... and, of course, you have moments where you get together and crash or whatever when you are not happy...

“I just never expected someone to really try and actively get someone a penalty that badly and lying about what I was doing, but it clearly had an influence on them.” Russell insisted he would not attempt to clear the air with his rival, saying it was Verstappen’s “problem to deal with”.

“You can go beyond the line in making a slight misjudgment, but going out of your way to say you’ll purposefully crash into someone and put them on their head is beyond the line.”

Originally published as Formula One feud explodes as Max Verstappen and George Russell trade barbs