George Russell gives update on Max Verstappen tension with Brit ‘not going to take it’ | F1 | Sport
George Russell has put the feud between himself and Max Verstappen behind him heading into the new season but believes that the line has been drawn and that he ‘won’t take it’ from the four-time world champion if his actions persist.
The two F1 stars engaged in a war of words during the final two races of the 2024 campaign following a disagreement over Russell’s conduct in a Qatar Grand Prix stewards’ meeting. Verstappen labelled the Brit “two-faced” after the race, making his feelings towards the Mercedes driver clear.
Russell came back fighting at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. He claimed that Verstappen ‘couldn’t handle adversity’ and suggested that his frequent radio outbursts were damaging team morale at Red Bull. No resolution to the conflict was reached during the off-season.
Providing an update on the state of their relationship, Russell told media including Express Sport: “Haven’t spoken, no concerns about him or his driving or anything.
“That happened last year, and I want to focus on myself. Obviously, things I felt were outlined at the end of last year and I made it pretty clear that I’m not going to take it. But now it is 2025, and I am focused on the job.
“And the job is to win, so I’m not going to change my approach fighting him or fighting any other drivers. The goal is the same and yeah, I guess we’ll see when we get to Melbourne.”
While Verstappen and Russell will need to be civil with one another on the racetrack, the duo’s personal relationship will need time to repair. However, the four-time world champion made it clear that he still believes things can be salvaged.
“Honestly, guys, of course, we have our arguments,” he told fans last season. “I’m sure we’ll fix it again, but it’s good to have a little break. But I’m sure we’ll see each other in Monaco again, it’s all going to work out again.”
Attentions are now turned to the on-track battles between Mercedes and Red Bull in 2025. The two F1 giants ended the 2024 campaign third and fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings after losing significant ground to Ferrari and McLaren.
Should the teams continue on their current trajectories, Russell and Verstappen’s on-track tussles this year could be worth millions of pounds to Mercedes and Red Bull. Both teams will have an eye on the title in 2025, but have their aims locked on the new regulations in 2026.
