Verstappen, who's the reigning world champion and represents Red Bull, was accused of bullying by Mercedes man Russell at last year's Qatar Grand Prix after he received a penalty for impeding the Englishman.

Max Verstappen joked that he still had a ‘shockingly bad’ relationship with George Russell after he was beaten by an inspired Lando Norris at the Australian Grand Prix. After snatching pole, McLaren driver Norris successfully held off a late charge from Red Bull’s Verstappen in Melbourne to seal his fifth career victory.

McLaren's Lando Norris swept to victory in a wet and wild Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off defending champion Max Verstappen in a white-knuckle finish to a Formula One season-opener littered with crashes and safety cars.