The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing with controversy as George Russell and Max Verstappen have escalated their fiery feud following the Qatar Grand Prix. What began as a dispute over Verstappen’s one-place grid penalty has spiraled into a full-blown war of words, with accusations, denials, and harsh criticisms dominating headlines ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“Russell’s Defiance: ‘Someone Needs to Stand Up to Him’”

Mercedes driver George Russell didn’t hold back in his latest comments, labeling Verstappen a “bully” and accusing the four-time world champion of crossing the line both on and off the track. Speaking to media on Thursday, Russell claimed Verstappen had threatened him during the Qatar weekend, sparking outrage and a heated exchange.

Here is the complete Interview in Video and below the complete statements of the Interview:

“someone needs to stand up to a bully like this”.

In a major escalation of the row between two of the grid’s leading drivers over fallout from Verstappen’s one-place grid drop at the Qatar Grand Prix, Mercedes’ Russell spoke to the media for the first time since his Red Bull rival’s explosive comments about him after last Sunday’s race.

Verstappen had said he had “lost all respect” for Russell and that the Mercedes driver had set out in the stewards’ room to get him a penalty for impeding him at the end of qualifying on Saturday.

Russell gave his own strong-worded response to Verstappen’s claims at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP on Thursday, alleging that the world champion had threatened to crash into him in last week’s race after they had met with the stewards.

The pair had lined up first and second on the grid, with Russell inheriting pole position following Verstappen’s penalty. After overtaking Russell at the start, the Red Bull driver won the race with the Mercedes driver finishing fourth.

“What he was doing was pretty clear. He was going too slow. He was on the racing line and we all had the rules to follow and he didn’t follow it,” said Russell to Sky Sports F1. “I find his comments pretty ironic when he comes out and says ‘I’m going to purposely crash into you, I’m going to put you on your f head in the wall’. “For me that is unacceptable and he’s gone beyond the line here and I’m not going to accept it.”

“So somebody’s got to stand up to a guy like this before it gets out of control.”