Russell "not changing mindset" after feud with Verstappen: "In race mode"
F1 News
George Russell says he is "not changing his mindset whatsoever" after he and Max Verstappen exchange some harsh words about each other, with the Brit now saying he is in "race mode". In the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, both drivers have had fierce things to say about each other after their incident at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Last weekend, Verstappen was given a one-place grid penalty due to driving slowly and dangerously behind Russell. According to the Red Bull Racing driver, the behaviour in the stewards' room from the Mercedes driver was very poor, and he has "lost all respect" regarding Russell. He doubled down on his comments in the Yas Marina paddock, saying the Brit "stabs you in the back" to members of the Dutch press.
Russell then had lots of comments himself as he fired back towards the Dutchman, alongside his team principal Toto Wolff, condemning the behaviour that has been seen from Verstappen throughout his time on the grid.
Russell believes Verstappen has "gone too far"
When asked if he would change anything after this feud with Verstappen, Russell disagreed point blank: "I'm not changing my mindset whatsoever. In Qatar, I didn't change my mindset whatsoever. The start was pretty tame in Qatar. We both made good starts, he just got ahead and I was expecting a little bit more but we have to see better. As I said, I'm not losing any sleep over it.
"I never, as I said, had the intention of coming out and speaking to you like this but he's gone too far now with his personal attack and now I'm returning the favour and putting the truth out there. So as of tonight, for me, this is put to bed and it's in race mode and I'll focus on the weekend," continued the Mercedes driver.
But will Russell go out of his way to find Verstappen in person, away from the media? "I don't need to talk to him. I don't need to talk to him at all. There's nothing for me to say," he bluntly concluded.
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