Speaking after Red Bull’s ninth Grand Prix win of 2024 thanks to Max Verstappen at the Qatar GP, Christian Horner was pushed on the Dutchman’s feelings about his qualifying penalty, and how the 27-year-old was locked in to get George Russell off the line after the way the Brit allegedly behaved in the stewards room.
Verstappen determined to pass Russell at the start
Verstappen had taken pole position for the Qatar GP as he qualified just over half a tenth clear of Russell in Q3 as Red Bull made a staggering turnaround from their Sprint struggles.
However, the four-time F1 World Champion was given a one-place penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly on an out-lap as he nearly came to blows with Russell behind him in Q3 as both were on prep lap for their final attempts.
Christian Horner explained that Verstappen was going to brake later than Russell no matter what.
Ultimately a slightly better launch got Verstappen alongside Russell into turn 1 and he took the lead immediately.
“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.
“He converted that grid position into the lead by the end of turn one.”
Russell acting up to get Verstappen a penalty, says Horner
Talking to Viaplay after the F1 Qatar GP, Verstappen did not hold his feelings back about the behaviour of Russell in the stewards office after he got penalised a grid spot.
Regarding how the Mercedes driver acted, Horner was left than impressed, believing the 3-time winner was hysterical throughout the event.
In the Sprint, Russell complained multiple times about Piastri’s defensive driving.
Nonetheless, the Red Bull team principal ruled out British bias from the stewards on this occasion.
“No, look, I think yesterday’s penalty was more based on hysterics from George, who has been quite hysterical this weekend.
“But that’s unfortunately […] Yeah, I think there was a little bit of gamesmanship going on in that.”
No concerns about Verstappen getting too hot-headed
Max Verstappen is well known for his aggressive style in wheel-to-wheel combat, and he has displayed it many times over the years in F1.
Asked if he was concerned that the Dutchman might overstep the mark off the line against Russell, Horner says the main focus for Verstappen was to get off the line and pass the Mercedes.
He also put in his own view of the qualifying penalty, suggesting the erratic driving came from Russell.
“Max, I think he was disappointed.
“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.
“It was frustrating to get that penalty, but he was already motivated to win this race and I think it only added to his enthusiasm to get off the line well.”
