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Verstappen warns FIA Stewards: "Going to go flat out on my cool lap"
During Qualifying in Qatar, while Max Verstappen was on a preparation lap, having slowed down due to the cars that were driving ahead of him, a flying George Russell, also on a slow lap, almost crashed into the back of the now 4 time World Champion. With the British driver pushing for a penalty for the Dutchman, and eventually succeeding in doing so, Verstappen has once again looked back on the incident and spoke candidly about it ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
During the Drivers' Press Conference in Yas Marina, Verstappen was asked again about the incident with Russell in Qatar, and the Dutchman made it clear that he was still unhappy with the way driver of car 63 behaved last saturday evening at the Losail International Circuit, but also shines a light on the precedent that the punishment he received from the Stewards sets for the future.
Was there an actual cause for Verstappen's punishment?
Verstappen sees that a door is opening where drivers try to get other drivers penalized: "I’m going to go flat out on my cool lap. I’m gonna act like I'm gonna crash with everyone", said a visibly irritated Verstappen when the subject was addressed, whilst also confirming what his approach during the Stewards briefing was. "I just didn't understand. I didn't even know why it was in there. Then honestly when I was in there, I was just trying to explain the story behind it. I was just trying to be nice".
After nearing Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris, also on preparation laps, the Dutchman was clear that he did not overtake them because he didn't want to ruin their programme, and that's when the incident unfolded. "Then of course everything slowed up in front because there are quite a few cars. I slow down as well because I don't want to then speed up 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", to Verstappen's disbelief. "It was unbelievable. We're all on a slow lap it's not even like someone was on the fast lap".
Was Russell trying to get Verstappen penalized?
The fact that the incident was investigated at all, let alone penalized, came as a shock to the 4 time World Champion, particularly since he claims he was only trying to stay out of trouble, and that is precisely what put him in that position: "When I got called to the stewards, it was a big surprise to me because I didn't really impede anyone. I think also on a slow lap, we all drive on our normal lines, because we're all trying not to pick up dirt anyway. It's not necessary when everyone is driving slow. I don't know how they came to that conclusion. It was, for me, very disappointing because basically by actually trying to stay out of trouble you put yourself in trouble".
"I think at that point of the season, almost the end of the season, I don't want to be fighting with anyone. They come after me after qualifying ‘why did you ruin my lap to start my lap, what are you doing?’. So I'm like, '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 be going to the stewards. I felt straight away when I was in there it was not going to go anywhere so it's very weird", Verstappen closed.
This article was written with the help of Nicole Mulder.
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