Horner claims Russell "hysterical" amid Verstappen bad blood

Red Bull boss says Verstappen penalty was based on "hysterics from George"

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused George Russell of being "hysterical" across the Qatar Grand Prix weekend after a falling out with Max Verstappen.

Verstappen revealed after victory at the Losail International Circuit that he had "lost all respect" for Mercedes driver Russell, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, with the four-time world champion suggesting the Briton was two-faced after being penalised for driving unnecessarily slowly during Saturday's qualifying session.

Russell was advantaged by a one-place grid penalty for the Dutchman, who felt the former had made the most of the situation both on track and in the stewards' room, though Verstappen ultimately pounced on a poor start from the Las Vegas Grand Prix winner to take the lead and eventually take the victory.

It's not the first time the duo have come to blows, with Verstappen irked by a move Russell made on the opening lap of the Azerbaijan sprint race last year and confronting him in parc ferme.

Asked whether his driver was wound up by the decision to demote him from pole, Horner said: "Let's just say he wasn't enamoured with the decision.

"It was a very strange decision because obviously, 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 absolutely 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."

Pole man Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, talk in Parc Ferme

Photo by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images

It is understood that Verstappen and Russell were involved in an exchange of words before the start of Sunday's race and with emotions high, Horner was asked whether he was concerned tensions could flow over the edge on track.

"Max, I think he was disappointed with it," he explained. "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. So you know, it was frustrating to get that penalty. But yeah, 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 outspoken over penalties he has received this season, accusing stewards of bias towards British drivers by suggesting he doesn't have the right passport for the paddock.

Put to Horner that this penalty was a case that backed that rhetoric, he insisted: "No, look, I think the penalty was more based on hysterics from George, who has been quite hysterical this weekend.

"But, you know, that's unfortunately... I think there was a little bit of gamesmanship going on in that."