George Russell has said that he is prepared to draw a line under his dispute with Max Verstappen as he admitted that their spat overstepped a mark in Formula 1 in 2024.
An explosive exchange ensued between the two as the previous season drew to a close regarding an impeding incident in Qatar which stripped Verstappen of pole position.
Verstappen was incensed with how Russell behaved behind closed doors, claiming that he had “lost respect” towards how his rival lobbied the stewards to have him penalised.
Russell, however, vowed to “put the truth out there” as he launched into a tirade in Abu Dhabi about Verstappen’s own conduct, claiming that he “bullies” his counterparts.
Meanwhile, the Briton also alleged that the Dutchman had threatened to crash into him in a remarkable media session that caused Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to intervene.
But despite the bad blood between them, Russell has revealed that he harbours no worries about Verstappen as he expressed his desire to focus on the campaign ahead.
“I haven’t spoken [to him], [but there’s] no concerns about him or his driving or anything,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week at F1’s season launch event.
“That happened last year and I want to focus on myself. Obviously things I felt got out of line at the end of last year and I made it pretty clear that I’m not going to take it.”
Russell won’t change approach versus Verstappen
Russell has insisted he won’t be altering his approach versus Verstappen on track, citing that he treats battles with the reigning F1 champion the same as the other drivers.
“But now it’s 2025 and I’m focused on the job and the job is to win,” Russell, entering his seventh season in the sport, continued.
“So I’m not going to change my approach, fighting him, fighting any other drivers. The goal is the same and I guess we’ll see when we get to Melbourne.”
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