Russell said Verstappen vowed to put him ‘on his f****** head in the wall

F1 rivalries come and go, but some just refuse to die. Case in point: George Russell and Max Verstappen. Three months after their explosive, X-rated row at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Russell has revealed that he still hasn’t spoken to Verstappen. That’s right—no apologies, no peace talks, and absolutely no burying of the hatchet.

If anything, their feud seems to be aging like fine wine—bitter, strong, and guaranteed to give fans a hangover. The question now is: Will it spill over into the 2025 season? And how much of this drama will we get to witness on and off the track?

A War of Words: Verstappen’s ‘Backstabber’ vs. Russell’s ‘Bully’

Flashback to December 8, 2024. Abu Dhabi. The season finale. Tensions ran high, egos flared, and F1’s most unfiltered war of words erupted.

Russell accused Verstappen of being a “bully” after the Dutchman reportedly threatened to put him “on his f****** head in the wall.” Max, never one to take an insult lightly, hit back, calling Russell a “backstabber” and a “loser.” Talk about keeping it classy.

And just in case anyone thought Verstappen might have had a change of heart over the off-season, Russell confirmed otherwise. When asked if the two had cleared the air since that chaotic night, he simply replied: “No, I haven’t spoken (to him).”

Russell’s Message: ‘I’m Not Taking It’

Despite the hostility, Russell is determined not to let Verstappen’s aggression affect him. “I have no concerns about him or his driving,” he stated. “That happened last year, and I want to focus on myself.”

But don’t mistake that for weakness. He also made it very clear: “I made it pretty clear that I’m not going to take it.”

Translation? Russell is done playing nice. He’s not backing down, and he’s certainly not letting Verstappen walk all over him in 2025. If Max wants a fight, Russell is more than ready to deliver one.

Russell’s defiance comes at a pivotal time in his career. With Lewis Hamilton’s shocking move to Ferrari, Russell is now the undisputed leader of Mercedes. This means that not only does he have to deal with Verstappen on the track, but he also has to prove to his team that he can lead them back to championship contention.

F1’s New ‘No Swearing’ Rule: Good Luck Enforcing That

In an unexpected twist to this whole saga, the FIA has decided that the real issue plaguing Formula 1 isn’t Verstappen’s threats or Russell’s defiance—it’s swearing. Yes, you read that right.

Under the new sporting code introduced by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, drivers can now face race bans and heavy fines for repeated swearing or criticism of the governing body. Get caught three times? You’re looking at a one-month suspension and championship points deductions.

Cue eye-rolls from every F1 driver, including Russell, who isn’t thrilled about the censorship. “As an individual, like I said last year, it’s obviously going quite far with everything,” he said. “As drivers, you need to continue to show personality.”

Fair point. What’s F1 without a little drama and some choice words over the radio? The rule seems especially impractical given how emotions run high during races. Can you imagine Verstappen getting a race ban because of his radio rants? Wouldn’t that be something?

Russell also pointed out a key flaw in the FIA’s grand plan—swearing is often the first thing non-native English speakers learn. So, does that mean Verstappen gets a pass? Or will the FIA fine him in Dutch?

Verstappen vs. Russell: More Fireworks Incoming?

As entertaining as their war of words has been, the real action will be on track. Russell has made it clear he won’t back down. Verstappen has made it even clearer that he doesn’t care. And let’s be honest—this is the kind of rivalry F1 lives for.

Russell, now leading Mercedes, has everything to prove in 2025. He outperformed Hamilton last season and is eager to show he can lead a team to success. But standing in his way? A four-time world champion who seems to thrive on making enemies.

Will Russell take the fight to Verstappen on the track? Or will we see another Abu Dhabi-esque explosion, complete with more X-rated radio rants? Either way, one thing is certain—this feud is far from over.

Mercedes’ New Dynamic: The Antonelli Factor

Adding another twist to the 2025 season, Russell will now be partnered with 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ rising star. While Antonelli is expected to be a quick learner, the real question is whether Mercedes can provide Russell with a car capable of challenging Verstappen.

Russell himself is confident. “Last year was probably my strongest season ever in Formula One, and I feel I’m just getting stronger year on year.”

With a fresh start and a new teammate, Russell will be aiming for nothing less than victory. And let’s be honest—beating Verstappen would be the ultimate way to make his statement.

Can F1 Handle Another Verstappen Villain Arc?

Max Verstappen has been the sport’s ultimate anti-hero for years now. He’s unapologetically aggressive, brutally honest, and consistently dominant. Love him or hate him, he keeps the sport entertaining.

But with the Verstappen-Russell feud heating up and FIA’s controversial new rules in play, one has to wonder—can F1 handle another Verstappen villain arc? Or is this the season where someone finally puts him in his place?

Either way, fans better buckle up. The 2025 season is shaping up to be an all-out war.