London, United Kingdom (AFP) — George Russell insisted he had “no concerns” about world champion Max Verstappen heading into the new Formula One campaign despite their furious row during last season’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

After the race, Russell accused Verstappen of blocking him dangerously during qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix, a claim that resulted in a stewards’ investigation and Verstappen losing the pole position to Russell.

After the race, said Verstappen threatened to “put me on my (expletive) head in the wall.” The British driver called the Dutchman a “bully,” adding his comments was “unacceptable.”

Verstappen, who won his fourth consecutive world championship last season, labeled Russell a “backstabber” and a “loser.”

Russell, asked during the 2025 Formula One season launch in London on Tuesday if he had talked to Verstappen since the concluding race on 8 December, replied: “No, I haven’t spoken (to him).”

“I have no concerns about him or his driving — that happened last year and I want to focus on myself. But obviously things got out of line at the end of last year, and I made it pretty clear that I’m not going to take it.”

“But now it’s 2025 and I’m focused on the job and the job is to win. So I’m not going to change my approach, fighting him, or fighting any other drivers. The goal is the same.”

Verstappen, speaking during a separate Red Bull press conference later Tuesday at the launch event, was asked by AFP how he would characterize the state of his relationship with Russell.

“It’s fine, we’re good,” Verstappen said.

Ahead of the new season, Formula One drivers have been told they face race bans or heavy fines for repeated swearing or criticism of the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

It follows a wider crackdown on swearing by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with Russell still to be convinced by the new regime.

“Like I said last year, it’s obviously going quite far with everything,” Russell said Tuesday, with Verstappen adding later: “I prefer not to speak about that, it might get me in trouble, so it’s better not to answer that.”

Russell finished sixth last season, helping Mercedes to fourth in the constructors’ standings.

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

“Obviously you’ve got to work in tandem with the team because it is a man and machine and it’s got to work together.

“My qualifying performance last year was my strength, I still felt I had more to bring in the race and I think these last three years have shown that... I’ve recognized the tracks that I’ve struggled at and that I want to work on so yeah, small details.”

But following seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Russell will be the senior Mercedes driver when the new season begins in Melbourne on 16 March.

The 27-year-old, who finished a place ahead of Hamilton in the 2024 standings, will now be partnered by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, with the Italian rising star making his debut in Formula One.

“Kimi is a super-fast driver and super-motivated. Of course, for any driver in their first year, there is a lot to learn, but I’m sure it’s going to be a good season together,” Russell said.