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Max Verstappen wasn't happy with George Russell's performance when it came to qualifying in Qatar, stressing that he'd lost all the respect he had for Russell. The Red Bull driver was called to the stewards' room for allegedly driving too slowly during the preparation for the last lap.
Namely, the British driver encountered Max in turn 12, at the moment when Verstappen was trying to make a distance from the car in front of him. The young Briton had to perform an evasive maneuver. After qualifying, Verstappen decided to explain how things looked from his perspective, not understanding why he was penalized for such a thing.
The Dutchman is disappointed in everything, but he believes that he's got to accept such a decision. The 27-year-old admits that it wasn't easy to accept such a decision, considering that such situations rarely happened in the past, or almost never. Max stresses that he'll probably change the approach he's had so far, as he doesn't want to be nice.
"I couldn't believe that I got it. But in a way I was also not surprised anymore in the world that I live in. I'm not happy with it, but at one point or another you've got to just turn the page," Verstappen said, as quoted by Motorsport.
"It wasn't very enjoyable to see that happen because I think that's the first time that in a slow lap someone's been penalized. Actually, I just tried to be nice, so maybe I shouldn't be nice. I didn't want to screw anyone over to prepare their lap. And by doing that, being nice, basically you get a penalty."
Verstappen tried to explain his side of the situation but felt like he wasn't understood by the pundits, who seemed unwilling to listen to his version of events. Max isn't used to this kind of thing on F1 tracks, considering that he always tried to respect the rules, follow them, and try to win in the wrong way.
Max was aware that in qualifying there were different conditions for the drivers, such as colder tires, which forced the other drivers to go faster, and he wanted to avoid interfering with others on the last lap to give everyone a chance to complete their lap. Such an approach is what Verstappen's been doing for years. It seems that after everything, the young Dutchman will change his approach, frustrated by the pundits' reactions.
Verstappen is surprised and disappointed by what happened in the pundits' room, stressing that respect between drivers is key, but that he's never experienced someone trying to sabotage him in this way, which made him lose all respect for Russell.
The two of them had a fair relationship until now, but the question is whether their relationship will ever be the same after this. Some believe that when the sparks and tensions calm down, these two great and promising drivers will sit together again and solve the problems that've arisen.
Red Bull boss, Christian Horner reacts
Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed in an interview with the British media how Max felt afterward, saying he was annoyed with Russell and the way things had played out in front of the stewards. Verstappen used that momentum to take the win. The Dutchman had a huge incentive to spoil things for Russell and emerge as the winner of this race.
"He was annoyed with George and the way things played out in front of the stewards yesterday. And he carried that motivation into the race," Horner said.
Christian Horner reflected on Verstappen's start which was great. After that, Max still kept the rhythm, started furiously, and achieved the goal he had. He stresses that Russell probably sensed how frustrated and disappointed Max was.
George Russell was disappointed after the race
George Russell had every right to be disappointed after the race, considering that he finished the race in 4th. Although the 26-year-old wanted to take advantage of the situation he was in, he lacked pace. His opponents took advantage of such a situation and achieved a positive result. Speaking to the media after the race, the Brit pointed out that this sport's specific and funny, considering how things change quickly. Although Russell appeared to be well on his way to celebrating in Qatar, Verstappen spoiled his plans.
“I mean this sport's just so funny how it swings so quickly,” Russell said.
“Friday was a great day. Saturday, pace in the Sprint [was] arguably equal quickest. Qualified second, and then today… bad start, pace was nowhere.”- the Brit concluded.
It'll be interesting to see what Russell can do in the next races.
English (US)