George Russell ready to face Max Verstappen

Mercedes operator George Russell has said helium is not aggravated astir his feud with Max Verstappen that began astatine past year's Qatar Grand Prix and would emotion the accidental to 1 time thrust alongside the four-time satellite champion for the aforesaid team.

From Qatar to reconciliation

In the epoch of crushed effect, Mercedes seldom faced Red Bull connected track, but the 2024 Qatar contention was the juncture for 1 of the astir heated clashes betwixt Russell and Verstappen. An incidental successful qualifying, erstwhile the Briton claimed the Dutchman was obstructing him, ended with a punishment for Verstappen and a heated statement betwixt the two.

Russell past defended his stance powerfully earlier the stewards, which prompted Verstappen to publically state that helium had "lost each respect" for the Mercedes driver, portion Russell responded by calling Verstappen a "thug".

Almost a twelvemonth later, aft the rivalry had simmered until the play finale successful Abu Dhabi, Russell admits that the differences are down them: "We conscionable accidental goodbye. We don't speech much, but we don't disregard each different either. I don't suffer immoderate slumber implicit it. And helium surely doesn't either. It doesn't fuss maine 1 bit."

A caller epoch astatine Mercedes

Since Lewis Hamilton near Mercedes, Russell has taken implicit arsenic squad main astatine Brackley, with young Andrea Kimi Antonelli joining him astatine the team. Despite coagulated results, it was lone confirmed astatine the United States Grand Prix that Russell would stay with the squad for 2026.

Mercedes brag Toto Wolff explained that the hold successful confirming the declaration was owed to "fine details", but it is wide successful the paddock that Wolff is inactive hopeful of Verstappen's arrival. Neither Russell nor Antonelli person yet been confirmed for 2027, leaving country for the Dutchman to join.

When asked however helium would respond if Verstappen were to 1 time beryllium successful a Mercedes, Russell showed maturity: "Life is short. We're each adults and we larn from experience. You don't person to beryllium champion friends to beryllium palmy teammates."

I'd emotion to fight

The Briton drew a parallel with legendary F1 rivalries: "Senna and Prost weren't friends, and yet they finished one-two. Lewis and Nico [Rosberg], besides one-two. Of course, Lewis and Fernando [Alonso] are the exception, but adjacent past Lewis should person won that season."

Russell made it wide that helium would emotion a caller challenge: "Max is an unthinkable driver, nary 1 tin contradict that. That's wherefore I would bask warring him. We each judge we are the best," helium stressed.

In doing so, the British operator has shown that helium is acceptable not lone to pb Mercedes into a caller era, but besides to look immoderate situation - adjacent 1 that would bring Verstappen consecutive to his garage.