George Russell has no regrets about his feud with Max Verstappen, which escalated right into a confrontation on the finish of the 2024 F1 season.
The season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was dominated by Russell and Verstappen’s fiery change within the media.
It stemmed from Verstappen choosing up a grid penalty in Qatar, and the function Russell performed in influencing the stewards irked the reigning world champion.
Verstappen stated that he had misplaced “all respect” for Russell and that he’d “by no means seen somebody making an attempt to screw somebody over that tough.”
Russell hit again at Verstappen, criticising the Dutchman for his incapacity to take care of adversity.
He referenced the Purple Bull driver’s on-track behaviour in opposition to Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
In an interview with the BBC, Russell addressed his feud with Verstappen, admitting there had been “no love misplaced”.
“I wasn’t going to only stand and be bullied round,” Russell stated. “Individuals appear to all the time again all the way down to him. And that’s simply not how I’m going about my enterprise.
“I’m not there to be greatest mates with a world champion. I’m right here to win. And that’s his mentality as properly. There’s no love misplaced. I’ve by no means been scared to race in opposition to Max. I’ve all the time put up a combat.”
In a separate interview with BBC Radio 5 Reside in February, Russell made it clear that he has “no intentions” to talk to Verstappen about it.
“I’ve obtained no intentions [to], to be sincere,” Russell added. “That occurred final yr. I need to concentrate on myself. Issues obtained out of line final yr. That was then. We aren’t going to return to being greatest mates, that’s for certain.”
Russell dismisses “stress” query
With Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, Russell is now the clear group chief.
Nonetheless, Russell’s present Mercedes contract expires on the finish of 2025.
Mercedes have expressed curiosity in signing Verstappen, with Toto Wolff displaying clear admiration for the four-time world champion.
Russell dismissed any questions on there being extra stress heading into the brand new marketing campaign.
“I don’t suppose there’s any stress in any way,” he added. “All I must do is proceed doing what I’m doing, proceed doing what I’ve finished my entire profession.
“In order that adjustments nothing. And it’s not even one thing I’m fascinated about. As a result of I 100% again myself. It’s so simple as that. You carry out and the whole lot will likely be there for you.
“I need to go up in opposition to the most effective. I don’t really feel that my capability is in query.”
