Max Verstappen slated George Russell over his rival’s remarks in yesterday’s meeting with the stewards which led to the Red Bull driver receiving a penalty.
The stewards handed Verstappen a one-place grid penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly in qualifying after Russell swerved to avoid the Red Bull and accused him on his radio of “dangerous” driving. Russell benefited from the penalty, taking pole position for today’s race.Verstappen, who passed Russell at the start and went on to win today’s race, was unimpressed by his rival’s statements in the meeting.
“I was quite surprised when sitting there in the stewards room what was all going on,” said Verstappen. “Honestly, it was very disappointing, because I think we all here, we respect each other a lot. And of course, I’ve been in that meeting room many times in my life and my career with people that I’ve raced and I’ve never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard. And that’s, for me, I lost all respect.”
The Red Bull driver said he “couldn’t believe” he was penalised for the incident, which occured as the pair were preparing to begin their final flying laps in qualifying. “But in a way, I’m also not surprised any more in the world that I live in.
“So you’re not happy with it, but at one point also you have to just turn the page. But it wasn’t very enjoyable to see that happen.”
Verstappen insisted he was trying to ensure all drivers had a chance to set a time. “I think that’s the first time that [during] a slow lap someone has been penalised,” he said. “When, actually, I just tried to be nice, so maybe I shouldn’t be nice.
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“But the thing is that we are being nice because at the end of the season, everything is more or less decided, for me especially. I didn’t want to screw anyone over to prepare their lap. And by doing that, being nice, basically you get a penalty.
“That’s what I tried to explain, as well, but I just felt like I was talking to a brick wall, so there’s not much that was possible, for whatever reason. I think I really spoke about valid reasons of what happened.
“It was clear cut that around me there were different scenarios going on as well, with people having colder tyres and stuff, so they had to push anyway. I didn’t want to then cause a scene into the last corner and then no one had a lap. So very surprising.”
Verstappen has had harsh words for his rival in the past. The pair clashed in the sprint race at Baku last year, after which Verstappen called his rival a “dickhead.”
This article will be updated
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Jere (@jerejj)
1st December 2024, 19:51
I’m surprised about his openness.
He apparently even told George that he’ll pass for the lead into T1, which was unsurprising & something that goes without saying for all drivers anyway.
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 20:45
lol, George has always been a weasel. He rubbed me wrong from day 1. At first I thought I might be misjudging him, but he really confirmed my suspicions after he slapped Bottas on the helmet at Imola. His whole “I’m your modest, wholesome George,” not a smug, scheming tattletale act really grinds my gears.
Paul
2nd December 2024, 7:11
Both George Russell and Lando Norris tend to be that way. I really hope they end up in a team together one day. Now that would be fun.
SPArtacus
3rd December 2024, 6:31
lol
BLS (@brightlampshade)
1st December 2024, 19:54
Max has never struck me as the respectful type, so I doubt there was much respect to lose in the first place!
BMW P85 V10
1st December 2024, 20:11
You should pay more attention to his interviews. Yes, he has always been straight forward about anything or anyone, but is not backstabbing in any way.
BLS (@brightlampshade)
1st December 2024, 20:22
Perhaps you should pay more attention to what you’re replying to, I was talking about how respectful he is, not how straight talking he is…
Dex
1st December 2024, 23:48
Actually, being straight with people is a form of respect, and the opposite. Being straight doesn’t automatically make you “respectful”, but not being so does make you disrespectful for sure.
I speak in general, I’ve no idea what happened in some F1 meeting…
Doh
1st December 2024, 20:54
I mean if you’re gonna go that far you’ve gotta give some facts. All we know is that George did what every team and driver does. Is this another case of camp redbull trying to put another person name in the ground because of a victim complex? Sheesh otherwise it doesn’t really mean anything unless you’re a fan boy
Ronald (@mosquito)
1st December 2024, 21:03
That is because your hate blinds your judgement. It is a common condition in the F1 fanspace.
BLS (@brightlampshade)
1st December 2024, 21:50
Should I assume you’re going to hate who I gave driver of the weekend to today then? ;)
w0o0dy
1st December 2024, 22:15
It all come down to honesty. Max is honest. He doesn’t leave anything on the table wether you are his mate or not. So he might do things that are considered to be “over the line” on track. But crying like a baby at the stewards just to 🪛 someone over is 100% against his character. He would sooner put his hand up and say ” yeah I did a bit of drama on track and just should have braked a bit sooner and accept that all these cars were just trying to handle the crowded last bit of qualifying” then put on a performance at the stewards to 🪛 a competitor over. You just don’t do that, it’s a bit of a d’head move…
Doh
1st December 2024, 23:09
Uh okay? Yet he was crying to the stewards on the radio to get Norris a penalty lol
Osnola
1st December 2024, 23:14
Norris was misusing the fact max lifted to decrease the gap from almost three seconds to almost in drs range.
Of course he notified his pitwall about that.
SteveP
2nd December 2024, 18:28
and the old pot calling the kettle black gets another outing. I’m sure it must be the first thing they are taught after mastering steering.
I don’t think the irritation is with “he went too fast sir” radio messages, more the number of repeats, repeats, repeats, repeats…
Wishing a welcome back to the Osnola entity – holiday, or just no Brits to complain about with multiple user names?
w0o0dy
2nd December 2024, 10:05
Norris did 323km/h through a double yellow (which can mean people walking on track or vehicles on track) section…
That’s just a very clear penalty and no one should every even question that! If it’s a 10s stop&go that something else….
But Norris trying to justify himself and claim he’s not an idiot… Ehm, doing 323km/h through a double yellow is idiotic, so I guess he is an idiot after all.
Moshambles (@moshambles)
3rd December 2024, 9:02
So Max cried like a baby to the pit wall, so daddy could have a word with the stewards? This is using the framing and language, you used to condemn Russell, but applied to a driver you are heavily bias toward. Think about that
w0o0dy
2nd December 2024, 10:11
Norris did 323km/h through a double yellow! (Max lifted and did 254km/h)
Double yellow can mean people walking on track or vehicles on track.
That’s just a very clear penalty and no one should every even question that! If it’s a 10s stop&go that something else.
But Norris trying to justify himself and claim he’s not an id ot … Ehm, doing 323km/h through a double yellow can be qualified as Id o tic behaviour. So I guess he is an id ot after all.
Elvira
2nd December 2024, 13:32
Completely different – he got someone else to tantrum at the stewards for him.
Moshambles (@moshambles)
3rd December 2024, 8:55
He did it in the race. They all do it, all the time. This whole thing is a non story.
DaveW (@dmw)
1st December 2024, 19:57
Verstappen thought this was a casual weekend pick up game and then Russell came out in a full Messi Inter Miami kit and started calling flopping and calling for fouls.
w0o0dy
1st December 2024, 22:17
Correct, that was a little C#nty from dear George.
w0o0dy
1st December 2024, 22:18
Correct, that was a bit of a C#nt-move from dear George.
RandomMallard
1st December 2024, 19:57
And yet he went and did exactly the same thing to Norris the next day…
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
1st December 2024, 20:04
Yes, isn’t Max a delight? So self-centered that he didn’t even realize it.
oweng (@oweng)
1st December 2024, 20:10
The way Max and Red Bull talk you’d think they were the only ones who never whinge or call for a penalty on others. Yet in reality they’re just as bad as everyone else. It’s bizarre.
Moi
1st December 2024, 20:12
He wasn’t mad about calling out the penalty during the race, everybody does that. He was mad about Russel’s behaviour in the stewards’ room afterwards.
His literal words (in Dutch) were ‘[Russel] is always very polite here, in front of the camera, but once behind closed doors he becomes a completely different person and I can’t stand that’.
Doh
1st December 2024, 23:10
This simply isn’t true. Russel was consistent on the radio, after quali interview and the stewards room.
Osnola
1st December 2024, 23:15
Netflix will show the truth there.
Even sky agreed george was different in his story at the stewards
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 18:27
Seriously can’t believe I saw that written down. Netflix will not show the truth, they will provide entertainment as they see fit.
H@ns
1st December 2024, 20:39
Yup, exactly the same. Ignoring double waived yellow in a GP or not adhering to delta during Q
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 21:42
It wasn’t really the same at all. Max was trying to stay out of both Alonso and George’s way and George wasn’t even mildly impacted yet he schemed to get Max a penalty. Max felt Norris has unfairly closed up by ignoring a yellow and asked the team to look. Apples to oranges. Moreover, Max will say exactly what he thinks to everyone while George tries to put on the “l just want hard fair racing” and then behind doors schemes and lies to try to gain an advantage. I’m sure he’s far from the only one, but he stands out. He’s sort of the off track equivalent of Ocon.
Doh
1st December 2024, 23:12
That last point doesn’t add up considering Russel was consistent in his view of the incident on the radio, after quali interview and then of course the stewards room. Maybe y’all and max are just naive to think otherwise
w0o0dy
2nd December 2024, 10:15
Completely different situation. Doubles yellows at 323km/h is just a huge no-no. Imagine people on track or a recovery vehicle… Want another Jules Bianchi?
Grapmg
1st December 2024, 20:12
https://www.racefans.net/2024/09/15/max-is-overtaking-everyone-norris-alerted-fia-to-verstappens-vsc-infringement/
Grapmg
1st December 2024, 20:17
So a bit of payback time for Norris and Russel today.
JJ81
1st December 2024, 20:23
And what of the respect for Lando, that VER and GP cried over the radio for him to get a penalty? No respect for VER in my eyes…kid consistently undermines his 4x WDCs with each new race. I’m sure Russell is not worried about VER’s “feelings”
FIA manufactured that penalty from the drop of the mirror. Bottas is the real hero for trying to move the mirror because the FIA would not. Why does it take more than 4 laps for an obvious need of a VSC or SC? They didn’t want Lando to attack VER, it was so obvious and they got Lando a STOP/GO and 2 other cars’ race destroyed. GG FIA…
w0o0dy
2nd December 2024, 10:31
Completely different situation. Doubles yellows at 323km/h is just a huge no-no. Imagine people on track or a recovery vehicle… I think nobody wants another Jules Bianchi?
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 16:39
Driving slowly on the racing line in the place he did was just as bad – not lifting for a flag where there’s 100% visibility and nothing actually happening lap after lap is hardly crime of the century, but there were a few decisions yesterday that were… interesting
Max is a hypocrite for a number of reasons, but his call for Lando to get a penalty and the variety of tales spun by RB over the radio over many years engineered exactly to get others into trouble is exactly the same. Max trying to take the high ground is rather misguided.
w0o0dy
2nd December 2024, 18:20
Russel was informed by the team about cars bunching up ahead. And he could see Max there for 2 previous corners… He decided to speed up and fake an almost accident and then blamed Max… It’s utterly discusting.
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 18:31
If Max was above the delta in the race director’s notes there’d be less of an issue, but he wasn’t. He was continuing to go slower than directed AND on the racing line. He should be miffed at the team for not telling him to speed up but it suits him and RB more to criticise George now he’s starting to be a bit more competitive.
Jojo
2nd December 2024, 18:39
Exactly Verstappen slowed because Alonso slowed ahead. He could have sped into the back of Alonso and complained but it’s just low. Russell could have slowed down too but chose to intentionally create a “dangerous” situation to get Verstappen penalised.
There were 17 other drivers over the weekend that were above the delta and only a couple of reprimands given.
I’m just glad Russell’s ill achieved pole didn’t last past the first corner!
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 20:02
Fernando wasn’t below delta or letting multiple cars through on a slower-than-he-should be lap, unlike Max. What Max should have done is not let Fernando through in the first place. If he/the team had read/understood/complied (delete word(s) as appropriate) the race directors instructions (only Max and RB know which it is), then he wouldn’t have been in trouble. But that would mean looking inward for the fault, rather than blaming the victim.
Jojo
3rd December 2024, 0:00
Victim?
Russell, who had already been made aware by his engineer that Verstappen and Alonso were slow ahead sped up on purpose. He knew what he was doing and was no victim.
If going too slow into that corner was a safety issue, then Alonso did the same thing. Why would it be more or less dangerous based on whether the driver was over their delta time?
If being over the delta time was the issue, why were the other 17 other drivers not being penalised?
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
4th December 2024, 12:42
Was Russel told that he was going slow and on the racing line? No. Speeding up on purpose doesn’t get other drivers a penalty unless the other driver is genuinely doing something wrong.
It’s long-established that if you’re going slow you should be off the racing line. Alonso was further up the road so not on the racing line going slow in that location where the faster sweeping bends make it less obvious where the driver is.
Only Max was causing an issue with his road positioning AND not going fast enough for the delta time, that’s what the stewards gave him a penalty. It’s just sad Max continues to never see himself as the issue.
Additionally, Max literally runs people off the road by ‘speeding up’ on corner entry when someone is overtaking – THAT is a dangerous use of ‘speeding up’ – the divebomb that he got a penalty for in Mexico, and forcing another driver off the track during an overtake, although honestly he doesn’t get penalised enough for doing that (he should have had another one at Mexico on the Ferrari and L1T1 at Austin). If the stewards had thought Russel had done something similar to cause an issue he’d have been penalised instead. But he wasn’t, because he didn’t.
SteveP
2nd December 2024, 18:31
Or another Billy Monger, because someone was slow on the racing line…
Doh
1st December 2024, 20:54
Backstabbing? Is George his best friend or something? All he teams and drivers do it. Sounds more like the usual red bull inferiority complex hypocrisy. I bet lando has lost all respect for max now after getting told on. Or maybe that’s the British media bias that’s sitting in the room with us?
Osnola
1st December 2024, 23:17
Beiing dishonest is not in max storybook.
George seems to be a different person at the stewards. Ask your local sky reporter kravitz
SteveP
2nd December 2024, 18:36
Blind faith. I have this cold-fusion system I can sell you if you’re that easy to convince.
Hmmm, as someone said elsewhere, “he’s a weasel”
I’m not convinced that turns on and off at the stewards’ office door, though.
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 20:03
I think the distinction between being polite in public and keeping dirty laundry behind closed doors may be lost on Max.
M2X
1st December 2024, 20:56
Anyone good at reading people and pattern recognition, body language, behavior and use of language comes to the same conclusion about Russell, which is coincidentally the same conclusion Max came to yesterday.
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 21:44
The oft present smug smirk is a dead giveaway.
grat
1st December 2024, 20:59
Well, Max, you could always have your reserve driver head out on track on a simulation run to prove how it was George’s fault…………
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 21:52
lol Perez was P19 at the time in a sprint w/5 laps left with pace so bad he couldn’t even catch FC. Trying a different wing helped him more than it helped Max as SP’s quali + race showed before his car broke down. Yet you act like he sacrificed something for Max’s benefit. Get a grip.
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 22:24
lol, he actually spun out. I had assumed since he was behind the SC when he dropped out, it must have been mechanical. He’s lucky they even let him finish the season.
grat
2nd December 2024, 2:23
I think you misunderstood my reference.
Look up “Silverstone 2021”.
Merely pointing out that Red Bull has gone to extreme lengths to try to get other drivers a heavy penalty retroactively.
Ronald (@mosquito)
1st December 2024, 21:06
Russell is going to pay a pretty price for that one-place penalty. Just ask Perez how long Verstappen remembers it when he thinks you screwed him.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
1st December 2024, 21:08
I don’t have respect for any of the drivers as they are all whiny hypocrites. I do enjoy the racing though.
MichaelN
1st December 2024, 21:37
Yeah, I’m note sure what FOM is hoping to accomplish with broadcasting their whines over the radio. It just makes them look petty.
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 21:55
“Entertainment value!” F1 always says despite the vast majority from the commentators to the fans communicating their clear dislike of the whining messages.
Pjotr (@pietkoster)
1st December 2024, 21:20
so poor George is now making enemies with the Verstappens. Just curious how this will end. Probably telling Toto: if you ever want me, he (George) must go.
Edvaldo
1st December 2024, 21:30
I did not see this incident, but if they handed him a penalty, was because he did something, so what is he complaining about?
Max has to understand people don’t have to be ok with him elbowing them to win. Today he brake-tested Norris a number of times behind the SC too, especially the second time as in the first he almost lost the lead.
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 21:58
This was about the absurd quali penalty. While I agree with your general sentiments and know Max would go bananas if other people raced him the way he races others, I have to agree with his sentiment in this particular case.
SPArtacus
1st December 2024, 22:01
BTW, watch the post-race cool down room convo between the drivers and you’ll learn why Max suddenly braked. It wasn’t an attempted brake check. Not that I don’t think he is fully willing to do something like that.
BenHur
1st December 2024, 22:45
That’s exactly what I was writing here yesterday, Max must be copying me LOLz
praxis (@praxis)
1st December 2024, 22:49
Good for F1, ongoing Max-George conflicts on and off the track will keep the both the fanbase and regular viewers engaged.
James Bond (@jamesbond)
1st December 2024, 23:17
George and Mildred.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
2nd December 2024, 12:18
Lol
Mr A
1st December 2024, 23:58
Says the guy who runs his rivals off the road every time they try to pass, and says the guy who was straight on the blower in the race today to have a rival penalised?
The guy is a massive hypocrite. I dunno anymore I don’t know if people are just willfully not seeing it but he’s just an atrocious sportsman.
I can’t wait for a future in F1 without him.
baasbas
2nd December 2024, 8:27
@Mr A
I think you’re misreading a crucial part. He claims George went full weasel all of a sudden in the stewards room. And the weasel part is what he was reacting to. Nothing what you said made him a hypocrite.
But I think none of this matters though. From what you just typed here you have a preconceived idea and the confirmation bias is making it true… for you.
So I hope he does turn out a hypocrite… and stays until he is 40. Just out of spite :-)
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 17:51
George was pretty consistent in his messaging, I don’t see how Max can claim George gave him the impression there was no problem then ‘screw’ him in the stewards room. Just sounds like Max carrying a grudge from the GPDA stuff to me.
SteveP
2nd December 2024, 18:44
Max carrying a grudge?
Nothing so crude as just carrying for Max’s grudges. Satin sheets and swan feather pillows.
George should just be grateful that Max hasn’t tried to park his car on him.
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 19:56
Haha that made me smile
baasbas
3rd December 2024, 8:37
@mysticarl
Consistent. Well, that was his complaint wasn’t it? He was lighthearted about it, they were making jokes about the incident in the interviews consistently. From what Verstappen claims he then did a 180 in the stewards room but we don’t know that. Interestingly it seems right after the meeting Verstappen has said something to Russell, allegedly referring to the first corner. I hope we learn more about that too
BenHur
2nd December 2024, 23:29
Maybe in 60 or 70 years your wish may come true, by then Max will have about 55 WDCs, so eat your tainted heart out
Alex
2nd December 2024, 3:11
George, Karma is a wonderful thing. Simply lovely!
Craig
2nd December 2024, 11:42
A word gleefully mis-used, especially when all drivers (Verstappen included) report each other for all sorts of things. It’s up to the stewards whether it’s penalised or not.
japioooo
2nd December 2024, 9:39
The stewarding is the most concerning. What will happen next races? Driving on a slow lap with another driver on a slow lap behind has become even more difficult than a fast driver behind. You have to be aware that he can speed up and just wants to drive through you. And when that happens you are the one getting the penalty. You have to stay off the ideal line all the time and get your tires dirty.
w0o0dy
2nd December 2024, 11:18
You are correct, that’s exactly why the penalty for Max is absurd. And it also encourages people to try and create situations to 🪛 a competitor over. The FIA awarded unfair behaviour from George, so now that could become a standard way to gain an advantage over competitors.
tielemst
2nd December 2024, 11:53
This. The penalty encourages drivers to pick up the pace on cooldown laps and complain that others are driving too slow.
Patrick (@anunaki)
2nd December 2024, 14:39
Russel tried to cover up his own mistake by blaming it on Max and he succeeded.
Max slowed down because he got overtaken by Alonso and Russel knew this. His engineer told him and he could see it. He should’ve just slowed down as well.
Carl Parker (@mysticarl)
2nd December 2024, 17:17
Max and RB have a go at anyone they perceive to be a threat, so it’s no coincidence they start mouthing off at George – I’m sure they’ll start mentioning Brit bias more again early next year as well if he or Lando are anywhere near the front.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
3rd December 2024, 3:01
So George doesn’t air his dirty washing in public and he’s the bad guy?….
Moshambles (@moshambles)
3rd December 2024, 8:49
They all do this. Max did it in the race. This is a non issue