George Russell vs Max Verstappen heats up, Russell calls Verstappen a 'Bully' ahead of Abu Dhabi GP

George Russell hits back at Max Verstappen's threats ahead of Abu Dhabi GP.

Mercedes driver George Russell has responded to Max Verstappen's recent remarks, escalating their ongoing war of words after a tense encounter at the Qatar Grand Prix. Russell revealed that Verstappen had threatened to deliberately crash into him, saying, "I was going to put you on your f---ing head in the wall." This threat followed a visit to the stewards' room by both drivers to discuss a blocking incident during qualifying, which led to Verstappen being handed a grid penalty. Although Verstappen won the race, he criticized Russell in interviews, accusing him of being two-faced and pretending to be friendly while lobbying for his penalty.

In response, Russell addressed Verstappen’s comments during an interview with ESPN, calling them "ironic" and "disrespectful." He pointed out the contrast between Verstappen’s public remarks and his aggressive language behind the scenes. Russell also suggested that Verstappen’s inability to handle adversity contributed to his harsh words. Russell referenced previous incidents in which Verstappen lashed out, such as in Jeddah and Brazil in 2021, and during the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, showing a pattern of behavior when things don’t go his way.

Russell explained that Verstappen had privately expressed his disappointment after the stewards’ decision, even threatening not to race him fairly. He also criticized Verstappen for feeling entitled to favorable treatment from stewards, given his previous unpunished incidents on track. While Russell respects Verstappen's driving ability, he expressed that he could no longer tolerate the personal attacks and double standards, making it clear that he would not remain silent in the face of such accusations.

The growing tension between the two drivers reflects deeper issues not just with Verstappen's racing style, but also his relationships with his team and rivals. Russell concluded by stating that while he’s open to tough racing, he won’t accept being disrespected, especially when it's done publicly.