Max Verstappen says he isn’t shocked by what he claims is George Russell misrepresenting their interactions in Qatar, and referred to as the Mercedes driver a “backstabber”.
Verstappen and Russell had a confrontation after Qatar qualifying when Verstappen felt Russell was attempting to get him penalised for impeding on an out-lap, which netted the Dutchman a one-place penalty to drop behind the Mercedes on the grid.
Verstappen went public together with his grievances over Russell’s behaviour, saying he misplaced all respect for the way he was attempting to get him in hassle within the stewards’ workplace.
Their row continued one week on in Abu Dhabi, with Russell calling Verstappen a bully and saying it was time somebody stood up towards him after claiming the world champion threatened to place him “on his head into the f***ing wall” in the beginning of the Qatar race.
Probed additional on the topic by Motorsport.com on Thursday, Verstappen claimed Russell dramatised their dialog and referred to as the Briton a “backstabber” and a liar.
“That is already not appropriate,” he stated when requested in regards to the crash risk. “However you understand, these issues do not shock me. I simply give my opinion about how he’s. In fact, he is not pleased with it, however it’s the identical factor he did on the stewards. Mendacity and placing issues collectively that are not appropriate.
“He is a backstabber. It does not matter to me. You do not have to speak an excessive amount of about folks like that, they’re simply losers.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures
“We had the final chortle as a result of ultimately we gained that race. They might have began on pole because of their nitpicking on the stewards, however 300 metres later they have been behind us once more.”
Verstappen was bemused by Russell’s feedback on somebody having to face up towards the Dutchman’s antics, suggesting that his annoyance at Russell was solely triggered by their go to to the stewards and never associated to the elevated opposition Pink Bull confronted this yr, as Russell prompt.
“Why would anybody have to face up towards me? I did nothing flawed, did I? I simply stated I am upset about his actions on the stewards, that is all,” Verstappen refuted.
“It has nothing to do with anything. I used to be very relaxed, I had already gained my championship. Solely, he needed to be so dramatic to try to begin first. He was screaming to realize one place, for him it may well make an enormous distinction.
“He’s mentioning lots of issues that are not primarily based on the reality. However that’s what occurred on the stewards as nicely. He insinuated lots of issues that do not make any sense.
“It is typical for him. Folks can imagine no matter they need, it is simply not true. I’m at all times the identical individual, whether or not I am at house, right here or on the stewards. You’ll be able to’t say that about everybody.”
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When pressed on what was really stated in Qatar, he replied: “Not that. I did not say it like that. However you understand, that is one other factor. That occurred behind closed doorways, so you do not have to share every thing that was stated there and make it extra dramatic.”
Verstappen prompt his beforehand cordial relationship with Russell is past restore, however stated he additionally would not lose sleep over the spat as he is not round to make mates within the paddock.
“No, however that does not matter. We do not have to be finest mates,” he added. “That is not why I am right here, to be finest mates with him. That is not my aim within the paddock, so I do not care that a lot about it.
“Particularly if somebody acts like that in the direction of you in entrance of the stewards. I am completed with him for some time.
“Qatar is Qatar and we simply transfer on. I gave my opinion about what occurred and that is it. Life goes on.”
Images from Abu Dhabi GP Thursday
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Method 1
Max Verstappen
George Russell
Pink Bull Racing
Mercedes
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