The contentious end to the F1 2024 season between Max Verstappen and George Russell saw tensions rise, and the Mercedes driver says he won’t back down. An on-track incident between Verstappen and Russell during qualifying in Qatar led the Dutch driver to slam the Mercedes man and state he had lost “all respect” for Russell.

I’m not there to be best mates with a world champion. I’m here to win. And that’s his mentality as well. There’s no love lost.”

Mercedes ace George Russell is ready to resume his on-track rivalry with Max Verstappen in 2025, and promises that he won't back down from a fight.

George Russell and Max Verstappen are the latest Formula 1 drivers to engage in a fierce war of words - and it feels like battle lines have been drawn for a rivalry that’s set to run and run. So what caused Russell to call out Verstappen so publicly,