'Seething Verstappen said this to Russell before Qatar GP'

‘Seething Verstappen said this to Russell before Qatar GP’

Purple Bull Racing crew boss Christian Horner confirmed that Max Verstappen and George Russell had an altercation earlier than the beginning of the Qatar Grand Prix. Lando Norris witnessed the second, and Sky Sports activities reporter Ted Kravitz says he is aware of what Verstappen mentioned to the Mercedes driver.

Horner on confrontation Verstappen and Russell

“I believe there was a bit of little bit of a second between the 2 of them on the trailer as they go across the circuit earlier. He felt that issues simply went a bit too far yesterday. He was so motivated coming into this race, much more than normal,” Horner mentioned in a dialog with Sky Sports activities.

Norris witnessed the second between Verstappen and Russell. “I believe George and Max have been having a bit of squabble behind the scenes,” the McLaren driver mentioned forward of the race. He hoped this is able to play to his personal benefit, however that turned out to not be the case. Verstappen obtained off the road higher and had already outsmarted Russell earlier than the primary nook.

Kravitz: ‘Livid Verstappen confronted Russell’

Sky Sports activities reporter Kravitz says he is aware of what the Dutchman mentioned to his rival. “Within the drivers’ parade holding room, Max confronted George, nonetheless seething, and mentioned one thing alongside the traces of ‘you and your FIA buddies, I hope you are proud of what you have executed’. I believe the precise quote was fairly ruder than that. I am not going to say what that was. However that appears to be the confrontation that Horner referred to,” Kravitz mentioned.

Horner mentioned Verstappen used his displeasure as motivation. “He delivered probably the most wonderful efficiency. He was identical to a metronome simply lap after lap while taking care of these tyres. Within the excessive pace corners he wasn’t taking as a lot vitality out the tyre that gave him the longevity as a result of we’re on this bizarre scenario the place the tires had been getting quicker and quicker as they had been getting all the way down to the canvas, after which the punctures began coming,” the crew boss added concerning the punctures for Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz.

This text has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton