Max Verstappen says he has “lost all respect” for George Russell after he demoted the Mercedes driver from pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who was crowned world champion for a fourth consecutive season last weekend in Las Vegas, led Saturday’s qualifying session in Qatar but was investigated for “unnecessarily slow driving” after the session as the drivers prepared for the final flying laps.
The stewards, after a hearing attended by both drivers on Saturday evening, decided that Verstappen had obstructed Russell and imposed a rare one-place penalty that changed their positions on the front row.
Red Bull’s Verstappen overtook Russell at the first turn before winning Sunday’s race, the Briton having to settle for fourth after a botched pit stop ruined his podium hopes.
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Watch the best episodes of the Qatar Grand Prix
“I couldn’t believe I got it. But in a way I’m not surprised anymore in the world I live in,” Verstappen said after his win.
“I’m not happy with it, but at one point or another you just have to turn the page.
“It wasn’t very nice to see that happen because I think it’s the first time in a while that someone has been penalized.
“Actually, I was just trying to be nice, so maybe I shouldn’t have been nice. I didn’t mean to tempt anyone to make their lap. And by being nice, you basically get fined.”
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Qatar Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights
“And that’s what I tried to explain too, but I just felt like I was talking to a brick wall, so for whatever reason, not much was possible.
“Obviously there were different scenarios going on around me as well, with people having cooler tires and stuff, so they had to push anyway. I didn’t want to make a scene in the last corner and have a lap for nobody “.
Russell confirmed Sky Sports F1 In a pre-race interview, Verstappen made it clear he was unhappy with him, while Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said on the grid that the Dutchman was “hurt”.
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George Russell was frustrated with Max Verstappen after the pair nearly crashed in Qatar qualifying.
Verstappen continued.
“Honestly, it was very disappointing because I think we all respect each other here.
“I’ve been in that meeting room many times in my life and in my career with people I’ve competed against. And I’ve never seen someone try to hit someone that hard. For me, you’ve lost respect.”
Horner. Russell felt Verstappen’s anger
Speaking Sky Sports F1 after the race, Horner suggested that Russell approached the start with trepidation after Verstappen aired his displeasure during the drivers’ parade.
Despite starting on the dirtier side of the grid, Verstappen moved up the inside of Russell, who also lost out to Lando Norris and dropped to third.
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Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz reflects on the dramatic Qatar Grand Prix
“He was nervous about George and the way things were going yesterday in front of the stewards. And he carried that motivation into the race,” Horner said.
“Obviously he was super motivated going into this race. He had a great start, and the first, second, third pass, he was going to be the only car going into Turn 1.
“I think you could sense that George felt it too. I think there was a little moment between the two of them in the trailer that Max felt a little distant yesterday.”
Watch the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1 this coming week at 1pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW
