Red Bull boss Christian Horner is adamant Mercedes “made a big meal” out of the incident that demoted Max Verstappen on the grid at Formula 1‘s Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen usurped George Russell to pole position at the Lusail International Circuit, but a one-place grid drop several hours later dropped him back to second place.
The Dutchman was disciplined over a moment on the out lap for their final Q3 runs which saw Russell have to take avoiding action as his rival slowed to create a gap.
Russell labelled the close call “super dangerous” on the team radio, but Verstappen asserted he’d be shocked to be punished despite an impending stewards meeting.
But although the panel took into account that the episode occurred when Russell wasn’t on a hot lap, the stewards opted to penalise him as Russell inherited the pole.
Verstappen was exasperated with that outcome, but the eventual race victor admitted post-race that he was more incensed with Russell’s conduct through the ordeal.
The reigning F1 champion voiced that he has “lost respect” towards Russell, who he contended had switched his tone behind closed doors to pressurise the stewards.
“Let’s just say he wasn’t enamoured with the decision,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week regarding Verstappen’s response to the verdict.
“It was a very strange decision because the circumstances of yesterday, both cars were on slow laps and I did feel that George and Mercedes made a big meal out of it.
“It was unprecedented on a slow lap for Max to end up with a one-place penalty.
“But he converted the dirtiest side of the grid into one of his best starts of the year and was determined that wherever George was going to brake, he was going to brake later.
“And converted that grid position into the lead by the end of Turn 1.”
Horner questions Russell’s approach
Horner concurred with Verstappen’s viewpoint that Russell’s choice to accelerate when the Red Bull driver ahead was checking up was needless in the circumstances.
“Max, I think he was disappointed,” he reiterated.
“I mean, if you look at it objectively, one could argue that perhaps George was driving a little too quickly on a slow lap with two slow cars ahead of him.
“So maybe he was driving recklessly.
“It was frustrating to get that penalty but he was already motivated to win this race and I think it only added to his enthusiasm to get off the line well.”
Verstappen has been vocal about his dissatisfaction towards certain decisions that have gone against him in 2024, alleging at one point he has the “wrong passport”.
Asked whether the situation vindicated that comment, Horner replied: “I think yesterday’s penalty was more based on hysterics from George, who has been quite hysterical this weekend.
“I think there was a little bit of gamesmanship going on in that.”
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