The tension between Max Verstappen and George Russell, which exploded after the Qatar GP, does not seem to be abating. In Abu Dhabi, in the press conference on Thursday, the Mercedes driver decided to break the silence, revealing disturbing details about their heated confrontation. According to Russell, Verstappen did not limit himself to technical criticism, but went further, with direct threats and personal accusations.
The spark in Qatar: a disputed pole position
It all started in Lusail, where Verstappen lost pole position due to a penalty received from the stewards following a formal complaint which, according to the Dutchman, was orchestrated by Russell himself. “I wasn't trying to get him a penalty,” Russell clarified in Abu Dhabi. “I was on pole and I was just preparing my lap. The facts spoke clearly: Max was going too slow and was on the racing line in a high-speed corner.”
Verstappen, however, did not take the stewards' decision well and, even before hearing Russell's version, he reacted angrily. “He was already furious before I even opened my mouth,” said the British pilot. “I don’t understand why he felt the need to make such a personal attack. I will never accept someone accusing me like that.”
Accusations and threats, the case reignites
Russell then raised the level of the accusations, revealing an alleged threat received from Verstappen: "He told me he was going to purposely crash into me, banging my head against the wall.. I thought it was a knee-jerk reaction, but when I met him during the Drivers' Parade, I saw in his eyes that he was serious.” And in fact the two exchanged a few words during the parade, even if each sees it in his own way.
The Mercedes driver used harsh tones to underline the gravity of the situation: “A world champion who behaves like this is not the kind of role model we should be.. My eight-year-old grandson watches the races, and I don’t want him to think that threatening others is acceptable. When I think about champions like Lewis [Hamilton], I realize how different their personalities are.”

Russell did not limit himself to Verstappen's words, but he also criticized the general attitude of the Dutch champion especially when he is in difficulty: "When he doesn't have the fastest car, he loses his mind. In Budapest he crashed into Hamilton, and after that race 25% of his engineering team sent CVs to other teams. That says a lot.”
Russell's statements open a new chapter in the rivalry between the two drivers. Verstappen, known for his aggression on the track and his frankness off it, does not seem to want to let this affair fall into oblivion. On the other hand, Russell appears determined not to be intimidated and to defend his reputation.
In Abu Dhabi, the atmosphere is more heated than ever. The last GP of the year could become the arena of a battle that goes beyond the points up for grabs for the Constructors' Championship. We just have to wait for the start of the GP on Sunday to see what will happen if the two find themselves wheel to wheel again.
Source: FormulaPassion