Horner defends Verstappen in Russell feud as Formula One rift escalates

  • Mercedes driver said world champion threatened him
  • Red Bull principal also responds to Toto Wolff ‘terrier’ dig

The Red Bull team principal, ­Christian Horner, has defended his driver Max Verstappen in the world champion’s increasingly ill-tempered feud with Mercedes’ George ­Russell and ­dismissed their very public falling-out as part of an end-of-year ­“pantomime season” before this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen has already been crowned drivers’ champion, a ­success overshadowed at this finale by the spat he is now embroiled in with Russell. Their ­altercation ramped up in Abu Dhabi when the British driver accused Verstappen of threatening to put him “on your fucking head in the wall” and that it was time someone stood up to the Dutchman’s bullying. Verstappen has denied making the threat.

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NBA’s 2025 Return to China Aided by New Mavs Owners

The NBA is headed back to China for the first time since 2019 with a pair of preseason games in October 2025 in Macao between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, according to a league announcement. China was a major economic growth area for the NBA and a regular destination for preseason games, including 28 …