MERCEDES driver George Russell has accused Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen of bullying and threatening behaviour as a dispute between the two at last week’s race in Qatar deepened today.

Verstappen said on Sunday he had “lost all respect” for Russell after an incident between them in qualifying cost him pole position on the grid for the Qatar Grand Prix.

“I’ve known Max for 12 years, I’ve respected him all of this time but now I’ve lost respect for him because we’re all fighting on track and it’s never personal,” Russell said in comments broadcast by Sky Sports on today ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.