Max Verstappen was handed a one-place grid penalty during the Qatar Grand Prix for impeding George Russell. The pair were called to the steward’s office to discuss the incident. During the meeting, Verstappen was less than impressed by Russell, claiming he had “lost all respect” for the Brit. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner weighed in and called Russell “hysterical“.
This angered Russell’s boss, Mercedes F1 CEO Toto Wolff. Horner and Wolff have clashed before, and this argument between their drivers has spilt over into management.
Christian Horner and Toto Wolff clash over the Max Verstappen and George Russell row
Before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Toto Wolff backed his driver. He indicated that a driver’s feud should be left between them to sort. However, he was less than impressed that Christian Horner got involved, calling Horner a “yapping little terrier.”
Horner responded quickly to Wolff’s comments, saying: “To be called a terrier, is that such a bad thing? They’re not afraid to have a go at the bigger dogs. I’d rather be a terrier than a wolf, maybe.”
🚨 | Christian Horner reacts to Toto Wolff who called him a “yapping little terrier” yesterday:
“To be called a terrier, is that such a bad thing? They’re not afraid to have a go at the bigger dogs. I’d rather be a terrier than a wolf, maybe.”
[@LukeSmithF1]#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/8YtF5csx59
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) December 6, 2024
These jibes by Wolff and Horner could be seen as mind games. Mercedes believe they are in with a shout of challenging Red Bull next season with an improved car. Wolff could be trying to get under Horner’s skin, like much of 2021. The pair clashed many times as Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton played out a titanic championship.
What happened between Max Verstappen and George Russell in Qatar?
The row began during qualifying when George Russell accused Max Verstappen of impeding him. Neither driver was on a hot lap but Russell was preparing for one. Verstappen got pole position, with Russell in second. Both drivers were summoned to the stewards, which is where the spat began.
Verstappen was in disbelief at the one-place grid penalty he received and was quick to call out Russell. The Dutchman took the lead into turn one to win the grand prix but after the race, Verstappen didn’t hold back.
He said: “We respect each other a lot, of course. I’ve been in that meeting room many times in my life, in my career, with people that I’ve raced and I’ve never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard. And that for me, I lost all respect.”
Sky Sports reporter Ted Krazitv reported Verstappen also confronted Russell on the driver’s parade before the race in Qatar. This row could rumble on, especially if Mercedes are challenging next season.
