Max Verstappen accuses George Russell of being ‘two-faced’ and insists he has lost ‘all respect’ for the Mercedes star in astonishing rant following their awkward stand-off at the Qatar Grand Prix
Max Verstappen last night said he had lost all respect for George Russell, accusing the British driver of being two-faced after a public staring match at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The world champion alleged Russell was hypocritical over the incident that cost Verstappen pole in Doha by giving a different story to the stewards from the one he gave to the media.
‘He always acts very nice here in front of the cameras,’ said Verstappen, who was adjudged to have impeded Russell in qualifying. ‘But when you’re in there it’s a completely different person. I can’t stand that.
‘I’ve been in that meeting room many times with people that I’ve raced. And I’ve never seen anyone trying to screw someone over that hard. I lost all respect.
‘I It was ridiculous how he tried to force a penalty, and I was heavily p*****.’
The pair clashed as they gathered for the drivers’ parade before yesterday’s race won by Verstappen.
Max Verstappen vented his frustration with George Russell following the Qatar Grand Prix
The Dutchman claimed Russell had been hypocritical following an incident that cost him pole
Despite the setback Verstappen triumphed in Doha to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings
Russell offered a fist-pump, which the Dutchman rejected, staring down his rival in full view of the rest of the grid.
Some accounts suggest Russell sought to explain himself; others that Verstappen insulted him.
Verstappen called Russell a ‘****head’ and a ‘princess’ in Azerbaijan last year after an on-track skirmish.
