Max Verstappen says he has “misplaced all respect” for George Russell after he was demoted from pole place on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who was topped world champion for a fourth consecutive season in Las Vegas final weekend, led Saturday’s qualifying in Qatar however was left behind the wheel as drivers ready for the ultimate laps. “too sluggish” was investigated.
At a listening to attended by each drivers on Saturday evening, stewards dominated that Verstappen had impeded Russell and imposed a uncommon one-place grid penalty that modified their positions on the entrance row.
Crimson Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen overtook Russell on the first nook earlier than successful Sunday’s race, with the Briton having to accept fourth after a poor pit cease ruined his hopes of a podium end. 4.
“I am unable to imagine I obtained it. However in a approach I am now not shocked by the world I am in,” Verstappen mentioned after the win.
“I am not glad about it, however in some unspecified time in the future it’s a must to flip the web page.
“It is not very nice to see this occur as a result of I feel it is the primary time somebody has been penalized on a sluggish lap.
“Truly, I am simply making an attempt to be good, so perhaps I should not be good. I do not wish to set anybody up for his or her circle. By doing that, being good, you are mainly going to get punished.
“That is what I used to be making an attempt to clarify, however I simply felt like I used to be speaking to a brick wall, so for no matter purpose, there wasn’t a lot chance.
“Clearly there have been completely different circumstances happening round me too, individuals had colder tires and stuff so that they needed to push anyway. I did not wish to create a scene for anybody on the final nook on a lap.”
Russell confirmed Sky Sports activities F1 In pre-race interviews, Verstappen made it clear he was sad with him, whereas Crimson Bull staff principal Christian Horner mentioned on the grid that the Dutchman was “harm”.
Verstappen continued: “After I was sitting within the stewards’ room, I used to be very shocked by what occurred.
“Truthfully, it is very disappointing as a result of I feel all of us have a whole lot of respect for one another.
“I have been in that room many occasions in my life and profession with individuals I’ve competed with. I’ve by no means seen anybody attempt to deceive somebody so harshly. To me, I misplaced every part. respect.
Horner: Russell feels Verstappen’s wrath
speaking Sky Sports activities F1 After the race, Horner mentioned Russell felt trepidatious at first after Verstappen expressed his displeasure on the drivers’ parade.
Though Verstappen began on the dirtier aspect of the grid, he struggled to make amends for the within of Russell, who additionally misplaced floor to Lando Norris and dropped to 3rd.
“He was aggravated with George and what occurred yesterday in entrance of the stewards. He introduced that motivation into the sport,” Horner mentioned.
“Clearly he got here into this race with a whole lot of momentum. He began very well and all through the primary, second and third gears at first, he was going to be the one automobile out main the primary run.
“I feel you would really feel that George felt that too. I feel there was a second between the 2 of them on the trailer as they drove across the monitor the place Max felt like issues have been a bit of an excessive amount of and it was so far-off yesterday.”
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Method 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – stay on Sky Sports activities F1 this week, with racing going down at 1pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports F1 or live stream with NOW