Tensions between Formula One champion Max Verstappen and fellow driver George Russell are heating up ahead of Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Addressing ESPN and a few other media outlets Thursday, Russell alleged that Verstappen threatened to "purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and 'put me on my (expletive) head in the wall,'" ahead of last week's race in Qatar.

The Mercedes driver was responding to comments made by Red Bull's Verstappen in the stewards' room after an incident during last week's qualifying. Verstappen lost his pole position after receiving a one-place grid penalty for blocking Russell during qualifying.