Crimson Bull staff principal Christian Horner has accused George Russell of being “hysterical” throughout the Qatar Grand Prix weekend after a falling out with Max Verstappen.
Verstappen revealed after victory on the Losail Worldwide Circuit that he had “misplaced all respect” for Mercedes driver Russell, who’s a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation, with the four-time world champion suggesting the Briton was two-faced after being penalised for driving unnecessarily slowly throughout Saturday’s qualifying session.
Russell was advantaged by a one-place grid penalty for the Dutchman, who felt the previous had made the a lot of the state of affairs each on monitor and within the stewards’ room, although Verstappen in the end pounced on a poor begin from the Las Vegas Grand Prix winner to take the lead and ultimately take the victory.
It is not the primary time the duo have come to blows, with Verstappen irked by a transfer Russell made on the opening lap of the Azerbaijan dash race final yr and confronting him in parc ferme.
Requested whether or not his driver was wound up by the choice to demote him from pole, Horner stated: “Let’s simply say he wasn’t enamoured with the choice.
“It was a really unusual determination as a result of clearly, the circumstances of yesterday, each vehicles had been on gradual laps and I did really feel that George and Mercedes made a giant meal out of it.
“It was unprecedented on a gradual lap for Max to finish up with a one-place penalty.
“However he transformed the dirtiest facet of the grid into one among his greatest begins of the yr and was completely decided that wherever George was going to brake, he was going to brake later and transformed that grid place into the lead by the top of Flip 1.”
Pole man Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Workforce, speak in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
It’s understood that Verstappen and Russell had been concerned in an alternate of phrases earlier than the beginning of Sunday’s race and with feelings excessive, Horner was requested whether or not he was involved tensions may circulate over the sting on monitor.
“Max, I believe he was dissatisfied with it,” he defined. “I imply, when you have a look at it objectively, one may argue that maybe George was driving somewhat too rapidly on a gradual lap with two gradual vehicles forward of him.
“So perhaps he was driving recklessly. So you realize, it was irritating to get that penalty. However yeah, he was already motivated to win this race and I believe it solely added to his enthusiasm to get off the road properly.”
Verstappen has been outspoken over penalties he has obtained this season, accusing stewards of bias in direction of British drivers by suggesting he does not have the appropriate passport for the paddock.
Put to Horner that this penalty was a case that backed that rhetoric, he insisted: “No, look, I believe the penalty was extra based mostly on hysterics from George, who has been fairly hysterical this weekend.
“However, you realize, that is sadly… I believe there was somewhat little bit of gamesmanship happening in that.”
Pictures from Qatar GP Race
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Formulation 1
George Russell
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