- Max Verstappen has accused Mercedes star George Russell of being two-faced
- The world champion ignored Russell when he offered a first pump on Sunday
Max Verstappen said last night he had lost all respect for George Russell and accused the British driver of being two-faced after a public staring contest at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The world champion claimed Russell was hypocritical about the incident that cost Verstappen pole in Doha by telling a different story to the stewards than he told to the media.
“He always behaves very nicely in front of the cameras here,” said Verstappen, who is said to have hindered 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 I’ve raced against. And I’ve never seen anyone try so hard to screw someone. I lost all respect.
‘I It was ridiculous how he tried to force a penalty and I was a big p*****.’
The pair collided as they gathered for the drivers’ parade ahead of yesterday’s Verstappen-won race.
Max Verstappen expressed his frustration with George Russell after the Qatar Grand Prix
The Dutchman claimed Russell had been hypocritical after an incident that cost him pole
Despite the setback, Verstappen triumphed in Doha and extended his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings
Russell offered a fist pump, which the Dutchman rejected and stared his rival in full view of the rest of the grid.
Some accounts suggest that Russell tried to explain himself; others that Verstappen insulted him.
Verstappen called Russell a ‘****head’ and a ‘princess’ in Azerbaijan last year after a skirmish on the track.