Accusations fly as Russell and Verstappen row rocks F1

ABU DHABI : Simmering bad blood between Formula One rivals Max Verstappen and George Russell exploded into open accusations of bullying and lying at of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Thursday.

Verstappen said in Qatar last weekend that he had lost all respect for Russell after stewards stripped Red Bull's quadruple champion of pole position and promoted his Mercedes rival to the top slot.

The Dutch driver expressed no regret for the comments in a news conference at Yas Marina on Thursday, accusing Russell of lying to secure an advantage.

Dutch reporters said Verstappen, who ultimately won Sunday's race with Russell fourth, also referred to the Briton as a 'loser'.

Russell responded in an extraordinary session with reporters inside the Mercedes hospitality, with team boss Toto Wolff standing at his side and throwing his own barbs at Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

The angry Mercedes driver accused Verstappen of threatening behaviour and said it was time to set the record straight.

"I've known Max for a long time and I know what he's capable of," said Russell. "He said to me he's going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me."

Russell said he had thought it was a heat of the moment thing but the next day felt Verstappen meant it when he saw "the fire in his eyes.

"I never had the intention of throwing Max under the bus like this until he comes out and slams me so personally," he said.

"For a world champion to be coming out and saying he's going to go out of his way to crash into someone and put them on their effing heads, that is not the sort of role models we should be."

Russell said seven times title-winning team mate Lewis Hamilton, who lost out on an eighth crown to Verstappen in Abu Dhabi in a controversial