Verstappen lashes out at driving criticism as George Russell seals Canada pole
A furious Max Verstappen lashed out at criticism of his driving as 'childish, annoying and p****** him off' after his nemesis George Russell beat him to pole position for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.
Russell snatched top spot with a brilliant final lap at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to leave Verstappen trailing by 0.160 seconds, with McLaren pair Oscar Piastri third and Lando Norris a disappointing seventh.
It means Mercedes' Russell and defending champion Verstappen will line up on the front row together, a fortnight after their collision in Spain.
Red Bull driver Verstappen accelerated into Russell and was demoted from fifth to 10th by the stewards at the Circuit de Barcelona. He was also hit with three penalty points which leaves him one point away from a race ban.
Moments after he landed his second pole in as many years in Montreal, Russell said jovially of his rivalry with Verstappen: 'We are mates so we are all good. I've got a few more points on my licence to play with, so let's see.'
But when the subject arose in the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen did not see the funny side.
'I don't need to hear it again,' he said. 'It is really p****** me off. You speaking about it on Thursday, it is such a waste of time. It is very childish.
'I don't want to say too much because it is really annoying this world that we live in.'
Russell insisted earlier this week that Verstappen's attempts to 'scare' him in Barcelona did not work and he believes a ban for the Dutch driver – if he reaches 12 points – would be justified.
On Saturday, Russell continued: 'I don't think any driver goes out there looking to crash into somebody and get penalty points on their licence. Max is one of the best and there is no reason for him to race any differently.
'But I am not sitting here thinking he will give me more room but probably the opposite to prove a point so I will keep an eye on that. We are here to win and we will not do something which jeopardises the race.'
Norris is 10 points behind Piastri and his championship challenge has been derailed by errors in qualifying.
Here, he made another two when it came to the crunch – aborting the final right-left chicane on his first run in Q3 and then grazing the wall on the exit of Turn 7 with his last effort to leave him seven tenths off the pole pace and four places and half-a-second behind Piastri in the other McLaren.
'It is a very easy track to push one per cent too much and pay the price – and that's what happened today,' said Norris.
'Mistakes have cost me. A podium will be tough because we don't have the pace we have had of the past few races. I am not as confident as in other places but I am confident we can go forward but it will be a struggle.'
Kimi Antonelli will line up from fourth for Mercedes, one place ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc made an error on his last lap and is eighth on the grid.
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The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Max Verstappen hits out at driving criticism as George Russell seals Canada pole
A furious Max Verstappen lashed out at criticism of his driving as 'childish, annoying and p****** him off' after his nemesis George Russell beat him to pole position for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix. Russell snatched top spot with a brilliant final lap at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to leave Verstappen trailing by 0.160 seconds, with McLaren pair Oscar Piastri third and Lando Norris a disappointing seventh. It means Mercedes' Russell and defending champion Verstappen will line up on the front row together, a fortnight after their collision in Spain. Red Bull driver Verstappen accelerated into Russell and was demoted from fifth to 10th by the stewards at the Circuit de Barcelona. He was also hit with three penalty points which leaves him one point away from a race ban. Moments after he landed his second pole in as many years in Montreal, Russell said jovially of his rivalry with Verstappen: 'We are mates so we are all good. I've got a few more points on my licence to play with, so let's see.' But when the subject arose in the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen did not see the funny side. 'I don't need to hear it again,' he said. 'It is really p****** me off. You speaking about it on Thursday, it is such a waste of time. It is very childish. 'I don't want to say too much because it is really annoying this world that we live in.' Russell insisted earlier this week that Verstappen's attempts to 'scare' him in Barcelona did not work and he believes a ban for the Dutch driver – if he reaches 12 points – would be justified. On Saturday, Russell continued: 'I don't think any driver goes out there looking to crash into somebody and get penalty points on their licence. Max is one of the best and there is no reason for him to race any differently. 'But I am not sitting here thinking he will give me more room but probably the opposite to prove a point so I will keep an eye on that. We are here to win and we will not do something which jeopardises the race.' Norris is 10 points behind Piastri and his championship challenge has been derailed by errors in qualifying. Here, he made another two when it came to the crunch – aborting the final right-left chicane on his first run in Q3 and then grazing the wall on the exit of Turn 7 with his last effort to leave him seven tenths off the pole pace and four places and half-a-second behind Piastri in the other McLaren. 'It is a very easy track to push one per cent too much and pay the price – and that's what happened today,' said Norris. 'Mistakes have cost me. A podium will be tough because we don't have the pace we have had of the past few races. I am not as confident as in other places but I am confident we can go forward but it will be a struggle.' Kimi Antonelli will line up from fourth for Mercedes, one place ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc made an error on his last lap and is eighth on the grid.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
George Russell takes Canadian GP pole from Max Verstappen
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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Verstappen rages at 'childish' comment in press conference after Russell jab
Max Verstappen has snapped back at continued questions over a potential race ban given his penalty points situation after he was beaten to pole position in Canada by George Russell Max Verstappen was left fuming as he again had to face questions over a possible race ban and admitted its "really p***ing me off". The Red Bull driver is one penalty point away from being hit with a race ban. His antics at the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where he drove into rival George Russell, saw him have more points added to his licence and he will drive at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix knowing he must toe the line. Verstappen is known for his aggressive style, which has been a hallmark throughout his career, and the Dutchman may have to show a more measured approach at Montreal if he doesn't want to be absent from the grid later down the line. It was Russell whom he clashed with in Barcelona and the pair have history, exchanging verbals in the past. They have drawn a line in the sand but the saga continues to be bought up and Verstappen had enough as he snapped at one question. As F1's Tom Clarkson began a question about Verstappen's penalty points as well as his rivalry with Russell but the defending world champion quickly stopped him in his tracks and said: "I don't need to hear it again." He then added: It's really p***ing me off. You [the media] speaking about it on Thursday, it's such a waste of time. It's childish. It's really annoying this world that we live in.' Russell meanwhile appears more than happy to poke the bear after landing pole position with a stunning lap in Montreal. He stuck his Mercedes ahead of Verstappen, who will start second ahead of world championship leader Oscar Piastri going into Turn 1. When he was asked about his pole lap the Mercedes star smirked and said: "I've got a few more points on my licence to play with." That drew some cheers but also audible boos from fans in the stands at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Brit added: "To be honest that last lap was probably one of the most exhilarating laps of my life. I got into the last corner and I was six tenths up and I was like, 'This lap is mighty'. Crossing the line and seeing we were P1 was a real surprise, but I was so chuffed with it." Russell had whooped with delight over the radio after his pole was confirmed and shouted: "What a f****** lap!" The same could not be said about Lando Norris, who was under pressure in the final round of qualifying after fluffing his opening lap. The best he could muster after that issue was seventh as his engineer looked to re-inspire his confidence over team radio. It gives Norris plenty to do as he looks to close on his team-mate. He said: "A tough Qualifying and not the result I was after. We were lacking a little bit of pace to the quickest cars, and I've pushed a bit too much to try and find that."
