Max Verstappen stands by his post-race comments in Qatar, insisting that George Russell actively tried to get him penalised.

With the drivers' title decided the main point of interest going into the Abu Dhabi weekend is the constructors' version, and while it may decide who gets what from the all-important prize pot it is of little interest to many, especially the new breed of fans driven by 'personality'.

However, the dispute between Mas Verstappen and George Russell has changed all that, this time it is clearly personal, and broadcasters are going to revel in it.

While the Briton was revealing that the Red Bull driver threatened to put his head in the f****** wall, the Dutchman insists that the Mercedes driver sought to deliberately have him penalised.

"I still can't believe that someone can be like that in the stewards room," Verstappen told reporters in Abu Dhabi today. "For me, that was so unacceptable, because we're all racing drivers.

"We all have a lot of respect for each other," he continued. "We play sports together, you travel together. And of course, you have moments where you get together, you crash, or whatever, you're not happy.

"In my whole career, I've never experienced what I have experienced in the stewards' room in Qatar," he added. "And for me, that was really unacceptable. It's nothing to do with him being the director of the GPDA, I just never expected someone to really try and actively get someone a penalty that badly and lying about why I was doing what I was doing.

"But clearly it had an influence. It was just really not nice and actually very shocking what was going on there."

Explaining the qualifying incident behind it all, he said: "Everything slowed up in front, because there were quite a few cars, and I slowed down as well because I don't want to then speed up and try to ruin their preparation as well.

"Then I see someone flying in my mirror, acting like the most dangerous situation just happened and he almost killed himself or something. It was unbelievable. And we're all on a slow lap; it's not even like someone was on a fast lap.

"By actually trying to stay out of trouble, you put yourself in trouble," he said. "And also at that point of the season, I don't want to be fighting with anyone when they come to me after qualifying saying: 'Why did you ruin my lap? What are you doing?'

"I don't want to put myself in that position. But basically, by doing that, I put myself in that position where I had to go to the stewards."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 06/12/2024 13:11

"@Spindoctor...max's legacy. Great driver...tough cookie'."

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2. Posted by Spindoctor, 06/12/2024 7:31

"@kenji
Didn't say that this specific nonsense would be remembered. My point is that this stuff mirrors the on-track attitude & character which is likely to be his "legacy"."

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3. Posted by kenji, 06/12/2024 0:25

"@ Spindoctor. I don't think Verstappen's career will be affected by some verbal histrionics covering emotional competitive outbursts. He will be characterised,IMO, as being ultra competitive and determined to win in all circumstances. He proves that on track. Just cast ones mind back to the days of Shumacher and Coulthard, 'he tried to kill me'.... the days of Senna and Irvine etc etc etc. There we saw threats and actual 'biffo' so it's not as though this little contretemps is pushing any new envelopes. What it does is remind us all that day to day interaction between competitors doesn't mean it's all 'sweetness and light'. The saccharine notion of 'bromance' is alien in this environment...or it should be. Enjoy Abu Dhabi."

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4. Posted by Spindoctor, 05/12/2024 16:22

"Characteristic arrogance from a rather spoilt & entitled young man. I've no particular sympathy for Russell - he comes across as being a tad smug & self-indulgent.
I think his on-track antics over the years have confirmed Verstappen's need to win "at all costs", but Russell's lack of emotional intelligence, maturity & basic common-sense are more surprising.

Verstappen may go on to win more championships and possibly become, in numeric terms at least, the GOAT, but in sporting terms it is another matter.
Senna & Schumacher were not averse to the odd unsporting moment, but these have not characterised their reputations. Verstappen OTOH seems characterised by such moments and by this outburst."

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5. Posted by kenji, 05/12/2024 14:28

"One poll report that I've seen records 75.1% support for Verstappen and 13% for Russell with the balance undecided. Maybe the adverse publicity has encouraged him to go public with unsubstantiated claims No doubt hoping that by escalation he'll turn opinion and get more support. IMO from a publicity POV he'll only make it worse. Silly boy. The paddock is not a sandpit."

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No regrets for Verstappen

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