Max Verstappen delivered a scathing assault towards George Russell following the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, stating that he had “misplaced all respect” for the Mercedes driver.
Verstappen was hit with a one-place grid penalty for driving pointless slowly and blocking Russell in qualifying on the Lusail Worldwide Circuit.
The penalty didn’t have an effect on the race although as Verstappen took the lead away from Russell on the opening lap into the primary nook.
Verstappen went on to win comfortably in Qatar to take his ninth victory of the 2024 F1 season.
Russell may solely end fourth after a sluggish Mercedes pit cease mixed with an absence of race tempo.
Verstappen livid with Russell
Within the post-race FIA press convention, Verstappen vented his frustration in the direction of Russell and accused him of “making an attempt to screw” him over.
Reflecting on the penalty, Verstappen was shocked by it earlier than detailing the position Russell performed.
“Actually, I imply… I could not consider that I obtained it,” he mentioned. “However in a approach, I used to be additionally like, yeah, I am not shocked anymore on the earth that I stay in. So, yeah. You are not proud of it. However at one level or one other, it’s important to simply flip the web page.
“However, yeah, it wasn’t very pleasant to see that occur, as a result of I feel that is the primary time that in a sluggish lap somebody has been penalised. Whereas, really, I simply tried to be good. So perhaps I should not be good. However the factor is that, you understand, effectively, being good, as a result of on the finish of the season, every little thing is kind of determined, for me particularly, I did not wish to screw anybody over to organize their lap.
“And by doing that, you understand, being good, mainly you get a penalty. And that is what I attempted to elucidate as effectively. However I simply felt like I used to be speaking to a brick wall. So there’s not a lot that was attainable for no matter motive.
“Properly, I feel I actually spoke about legitimate causes of what occurred and it was clear minimize that round me there have been completely different situations happening as effectively, with folks having colder tyres and stuff so that they needed to push anyway and I did not wish to then trigger a scene into a final nook. after which, you understand, nobody had a lap. So very, very shocking.
“After which the second a part of the query. Yeah, I used to be fairly shocked when sitting there within the Stewards’ room, what was all happening. Actually, very disappointing as a result of I feel we’re all right here, we respect one another rather a lot and naturally, I have been in that assembly room many occasions in my life, in my profession with folks that have raced and I’ve by no means seen somebody making an attempt to screw somebody over that onerous. And that for me… I misplaced all respect.”
Verstappen reveals his class on-track in Qatar
Verstappen’s first dry climate win because the Spanish Grand Prix confirmed why he is a degree above the remainder of the sphere in the mean time.
As soon as once more, Verstappen nailed the begin to declare the lead regardless of beginning on the soiled facet of the grid.
He was fast to level out Lando Norris’ misjudgement throughout the yellow flag interval which finally resulted in a 10-second stop-go penalty for the McLaren driver.
Equally, Verstappen demonstrated his superior race craft with a stern defence towards Norris after the primary Security Automobile interval.
