The explosive timeline behind the Verstappen-Russell conflict
The initial incident during Q3 of qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix
With both drivers on preparation laps, Russell comes up behind Verstappen with a considerable difference in speed between the two cars. The Mercedes has to take to the gravel to miss the Red Bull, preventing an accident. The British driver calls the moment “dangerous” via team radio.
Verstappen goes on to take pole position over Russell, who had provisionally held the advantage when the incident took place.
Post-session media duties
Having qualified first and second, both drivers partake in the post-qualifying FIA press conference. Verstappen is asked for his perspective of the incident, claiming Russell “got excited”, to which the 26-year-old explains he was following his delta.
Russell claims it was a “bit of a hairy one” and that it might have damaged his car.
Meanwhile, Horner waves away Russell’s “dangerous” suggestion, saying he does not expect Verstappen to be punished.
Both drivers are summoned to the stewards
Confirmation that both drivers have been called before the officials, with an emphasis placed on Verstappen’s involvement. As is customary, Russell is required to provide an account of the incident from his perspective.
Verstappen conducts his Dutch language post-qualifying media session
With the threat of a grid penalty looming, the 27-year-old tells Dutch media including RacingNews365 that it “makes no sense for them to take this [pole position] away!”
The two drivers appear before the stewards
This point is the catalyst for everything that follows. From Verstappen’s perspective, Russell aggressively pushed for him to be punished during the meeting, something Russell has denied. The four-time drivers’ champion would go on to say the British driver was “lying” to the stewards.
From Russell’s account, he would later claim Verstappen was already swearing at the officials and “so angry” before he had even spoken. “I do not see why he felt the need for this personal attack, and I’m not going to take it,” he added.
Alleged harsh words between the pair
Russell claims that after the meeting with the stewards, Verstappen told him he would “put me on my fucking head in the wall”, but like the comments directly above, this would not come out until media day for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The stewards reach their verdict
Having reviewed the footage, data and the drivers’ accounts, the stewards hand Verstappen an unusual one-place grid penalty for the grand prix, in essence switching around the front row.
The reason given was for Verstappen “driving unnecessarily slowly on a cool down lap”, but the conventional three-place grid drop was mitigated by the fact both drivers involved were on preparation laps.
The drivers have further words on the parade lap prior to the grand prix
According to Horner, it was at this point that Verstappen made it clear he was going to take the lead into the first corner of the Qatar Grand Prix, despite starting second and on the dirty side of the grid.
“You could sense that George kind of sensed that as well,” he later explained.
The race
Verstappen stays true to his supposed word, taking the lead into the first corner. He goes on to claim victory whilst Russell finishes fourth.
Post-race FIA press conference
Verstappen is further asked about the incident from qualifying. He explains that he “didn’t want to screw anyone over” on the preparation lap, which is why he was driving slowly.
He also provides the first insight into what occurred in the stewards’ room the previous night, saying he was “very disappointed” and that “I’ve never seen someone [Russell] trying to screw someone over that hard. And that for me… I lost all respect.”
Horner’s end-of-weekend media session
The Red Bull team principal makes his remarks mentioned above, explaining that the stewards’ situation fuelled Verstappen’s victory.
He mocks Russell for being “quite hysterical this weekend” with a comedic inflection in his voice before saying: “I did feel that George and Mercedes made a big meal out of it”.
Further Verstappen post-race comments
The biggest verbal touchpoint so far, Verstappen suggests Russell is two-faced, painting a picture of someone who is distinctly different in front of cameras than he is behind closed doors.
Translated from Dutch by RacingNews365, he says: “I have a lot of respect for a lot of drivers, but after last night I completely lost that respect for him.
“I just thought it was ridiculous how he tried to force a penalty on me. And I was heavily pissed at him for that.
“He always does it very nicely here in front of the camera, but then when you’re inside with him in person, it’s just a different person. I can’t stand that and it’s actually better for him to fuck off. I don’t want to get involved in this.”
