By George, sparks are going to fly!

MERC STARS WILL CLASH, SAYS COULTHARD

- NEIL MOXLEY

LEWIS HAMILTON and George Russell will become the best of enemies this season – and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will lap it up.

As the clock ticks down to the season’s opener in Bahrain, former F1 driverturned-pundit David Coulthard has predicted the Silver Arrows pair will be ‘eye-balling’ each other as tensions build.

Coulthard believes seven-time world king Hamilton (top right) not only has revenge in his sights as he looks to overhaul Max Verstappen, but he will have as big a battle on his hands from his own team-mate.

The Scot said: “Here are two competitive people trying to mark out the territory as their own – there’s likely to be friction.

“To start with, it will be harmonious. But as the season progresses, I think a fallout is likely – it’s equally likely that it will be behind-closed-doors too.

“With Valtteri Bottas, Lewis had a comfortable relationship.

“But what we’ve seen with George so far – when he had a coming together with Valtteri himself at Imola last season – that he was very vocal and visible in his frustration.