Max Verstappen Criticizes George Russell After Qatar GP

Max Verstappen has publicly declared that he has lost all respect for Mercedes driver George Russell following a controversial incident during the Qatar Grand Prix qualifying. Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty for driving slowly, which Russell claimed forced him to take evasive action, allowing Russell to start in pole position. After winning the race, Verstappen criticized Russell for being hypocritical and accused him of attempting to manipulate the stewards against him, stating, "I’ve never seen anyone try so hard to screw someone over that hard." Verstappen's comments reflect escalating tensions as he prepares for a title defense in 2025, emphasizing that he can no longer tolerate Russell's behavior. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton also faced his own struggles during the race, expressing frustration with his team after a series of mishaps. This rivalry adds a heated dynamic to the upcoming Formula 1 season.