Max Verstappen delivered a scathing assault in opposition to 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 direction of Russell and accused him of “attempting 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 bought it,” he mentioned. “However in a manner, I used to be additionally like, yeah, I am not shocked anymore on the earth that I dwell in. So, yeah. You are not proud of it. However at one level or one other, it’s a must 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, truly, I simply tried to be good. So perhaps I should not be good. However the factor is that, you understand, nicely, being good, as a result of on the finish of the season, all the things is kind of determined, for me particularly, I did not need 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 clarify as nicely. However I simply felt like I used to be speaking to a brick wall. So there’s not a lot that was potential for no matter purpose.
“Nicely, I feel I actually spoke about legitimate causes of what occurred and it was clear lower that round me there have been totally different eventualities happening as nicely, with individuals having colder tyres and stuff in order that they needed to push anyway and I did not need 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 so much and naturally, I have been in that assembly room many instances in my life, in my profession with folks that have raced and I’ve by no means seen somebody attempting to screw somebody over that tough. And that for me… I misplaced all respect.”
Verstappen reveals his class on-track in Qatar
Verstappen’s first dry climate win for the reason that Spanish Grand Prix confirmed why he is a degree above the remainder of the sector in the meanwhile.
As soon as once more, Verstappen nailed the begin to declare the lead regardless of beginning on the soiled aspect of the grid.
He was fast to level out Lando Norris’ misjudgement in the course of 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 in opposition to Norris after the primary Security Automobile interval.
