known as a “loser” and a “backstabber” in response because the argument between the pair continued to escalate forward of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Earlier within the day, Russell claimed Verstappen throughout an heated alternate within the stewards room finally weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
When these feedback have been put to the four-time world champion, Verstappen replied: “That’s not true. I didn’t say it like that. He’s exaggerating once more.
“Have you learnt what I can’t stand? The way in which he assaults me unacceptably with the stewards after which acts like nothing occurred the following day, patting me on the shoulder.
“I believe, ‘Keep away from me’. He invents all types of nonsense. With me, you at all times get the identical. Right here, at residence, with the stewards, I don’t change. You may’t say the identical about everybody. However I’m not stunned by him.”
Russell stated he didn’t wish to “sit right here and settle for” Verstappen’s alleged behaviour. The argument between the driver and his rival started over a one-place grid penalty Verstappen acquired in Qatar for impending Russell in qualifying.
Though Verstappen gained the race, the Dutchman was furious and accused the British driver of making an attempt to “screw him over exhausting” within the stewards room. Verstappen doubled down on his feedback in Abu Dhabi, insisting that Russell was “mendacity”.
Russell responded: “I discover all of it fairly ironic seeing as Saturday night time he stated he was going to purposefully exit of his solution to crash into me and ‘put me on my f—ing head within the wall.
“So to query any individual’s integrity as an individual, whereas saying feedback like that the day earlier than, I discover could be very ironic, and I’m not going to sit down right here and settle for it.
“Folks have been bullied by Max for years now, and you may’t query his driving talents. However he can’t take care of adversity.”
When these feedback have been put to Verstappen following the pre-race media day, the Dutchman replied: “Yeah, however George is a backstabber. The way in which he brings up all this nonsense, he’s only a loser.
“He lies and cobbles issues collectively that don’t add up. I solely voiced my opinion about his habits with the stewards. Clearly, he couldn’t deal with that.”
