2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – F1 Qualifying Outcomes

Complete list of qualifying outcomes for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marks the 24th race in the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship series.

Below are the complete outcomes from the qualifying session of the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

McLaren secured the top two starting positions in an important qualifying round at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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McLaren has a chance to secure the F1 constructors' championship title this weekend. They currently hold a 21-point lead over Ferrari as they approach the last race scheduled for Sunday.

Carlos Sainz is the top Ferrari driver, securing third place, following Charles Leclerc's elimination in Q2 when his fastest lap was invalidated due to exceeding track limits.

Leclerc is set to begin the race at the very end of the starting lineup because of a penalty related to his engine.

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Lando Norris aims to outpace Ferrari with flair following his pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. "Our goal is to surpass Ferrari, and we want to do it with style. Winning is what we desire, and I am eager to achieve victory."

Lando Norris aims to secure a win to wrap up his 2024 Formula 1 season, while McLaren concentrates on winning the constructors' championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

McLaren is well-placed to clinch the championship at the Yas Marina Circuit, having claimed the top two spots on the starting grid.

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Norris secured his eighth pole position of the season, outpacing his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

Ferrari faces a challenging situation after Charles Leclerc was eliminated in the second qualifying session.

Due to an engine replacement, he will begin the race from the last position on the grid, having received a 10-place penalty.

After the qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit, Norris expressed his desire to outpace Ferrari "in style" and secure the constructors' championship with a win on Sunday.

"It was an excellent day for our team, though it proved to be more challenging than anticipated," Norris remarked. "We’re happy to have secured the first and second positions. It was somewhat more difficult than we had hoped. My final lap was solid, which is exactly the conclusion we were aiming for today."

"Our goal is to outperform Ferrari, but we aim to do it with flair. Winning is our objective, and it's certainly mine as well. We understand the necessary steps we need to take. By maintaining our concentration and staying grounded, we are committed to securing victory in every race we can. Tomorrow presents a promising opportunity for us."

"We'll put in our maximum effort, fully aware of what it takes to reach our objective. We're extremely pleased. The team has performed outstandingly. It was a great way to finish the year's qualifying session."

McLaren's Impressive Comeback

Under the guidance of Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, McLaren has experienced an impressive resurgence.

At the beginning of 2023, McLaren had the least competitive car, resulting in no points earned in the initial races.

A new upgrade package unveiled in Austria significantly improved their performance, elevating the team from mid-table competitors to frequent podium achievers.

At the start of the year, McLaren was the third quickest team, but as they introduced more improvements, Norris and Piastri ended up with the fastest car.

Consequently, McLaren is now poised to secure their first constructors' championship victory since 1998.

As they approach the race, their advantage over Ferrari stands at 21 points.

A third and fourth place finish will secure McLaren the championship title in the constructors' category, putting them ahead of their competitors.

With a keen awareness of the controversies and narratives within Formula 1, Connor is central to maintaining our objective reporting.

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Toto Wolff says sorry to Lewis Hamilton for "foolish error" | "We completely failed him"

A frustrated Toto Wolff has expressed regret to Lewis Hamilton after the qualifying session in Abu Dhabi.

Toto Wolff has apologized to Lewis Hamilton after Hamilton's unexpected elimination in the first qualifying session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, acknowledging that the team "completely failed him."

Hamilton was eliminated in the first qualifying session after hitting a bollard in the last part of his lap at the Yas Marina Circuit.

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The seven-time world champion faced bad luck when a bollard became lodged under his car, a situation that arose after it was placed on the track by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen.

If it hadn't been for that, Hamilton probably would have reached Q2 in his last race with Mercedes, although there had been challenges leading up to that point.

Hamilton barely made it across the start-finish line in time, as traffic posed an issue for both Mercedes drivers. Consequently, he began his last Q1 attempt with his tires not fully warmed up.

After qualifying in Abu Dhabi, Wolff's frustration was evident as he labeled Mercedes' mistake both "foolish" and "unforgivable."

In an interview with Sky Sports, Wolff expressed his regret, saying, "I must apologize to Lewis." He also extended his apologies to the entire team, acknowledging their hard work in striving to create a positive outcome for him.

"He was faster due to the setup we selected for the car as part of our tests for the upcoming year. We completely failed him. It was a foolish error not to start sooner."

"Unforgivable, truly unforgivable. I've seldom felt so disheartened by recent events."

"This situation might reflect the recent races we've experienced with him, but this instance is particularly bad because it was simply foolish."

"The Hamilton-Mercedes legacy remains intact"

Hamilton will leave Mercedes following the conclusion of Sunday's race as he prepares to join Ferrari in 2025.

The partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes stands as the most triumphant in the history of the sport.

The 39-year-old has secured six out of his seven championships with the team from Brackley, achieving more than 80 race wins.

Wolff emphasized that this does not "damage the legacy we built with him," although it marked a disappointing conclusion to their partnership.

"We were fortunate that both of them managed to navigate through the other racers," Wolff commented.

"Perhaps it could have succeeded if not for the bollard. In a Q1 session where we clearly had the speed to advance, taking such a big risk wasn't necessary."

"Our most esteemed racing driver, considered the greatest in the history of this sport, was eliminated in the first qualifying round due to our error. While this doesn't tarnish the legacy we've built with him, I can only express my apologies to him."

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Lewis Hamilton describes hitting a bollard as "just my luck" during a frustrating qualifying session. Lewis Larkam reports from Abu Dhabi, where Hamilton expressed his disappointment with Mercedes' performance in the final qualifying round.

Lewis Hamilton commented that having a loose bollard stuck beneath his car was a stroke of bad luck, as his last F1 qualifying session with Mercedes ended with an unfortunate exit in the first qualifying round.

The seven-time world champion experienced a disastrous qualifying session for Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as he was eliminated in the first round with only the 18th quickest time.

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A bollard became airborne when Kevin Magnussen from the Haas team knocked it loose while attempting to make room for Hamilton. This bollard ended up directly in the path of the 39-year-old British driver and eventually lodged itself under his W15 car.

Hamilton explained that the bollard he was stuck on resulted in a loss of downforce during the last two corners of the lap, causing him to fall short of progressing to Q2 by only 0.093 seconds.

"That's just my luck, yet it's alright," Hamilton mentioned to Sky Sports F1.

"We put a lot of effort into preparing everything, managed to get the car performing excellently, and things were promising during the third practice session. I started to believe that securing a podium finish might be within reach this weekend."

"The schedule wasn't ideal during the session because I was the last to hit the track. Unfortunately, this meant I got stuck behind an Alpine car as the session concluded, leaving me without enough time."

Hamilton was optimistic

In what will be his final race with Mercedes, Hamilton will begin Sunday's grand prix in the 16th position, benefiting from the grid penalties given to Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Alex Albon of Williams, which moved him up two spots.

Hamilton aspired to conclude his remarkable time with Mercedes by securing a podium finish in Abu Dhabi. However, he maintains his resolve to end the season positively, even though the qualifying outcome was not as he had hoped.

"I'll make an effort to do so. Like I mentioned before, the car seems to be performing well."

Transitioning from positions like P1 and P2, where I was consistently among the top five, to ending up in 18th place certainly alters the perspective on the weekend. However, I am striving to stay focused on the present and remain thankful.

"This weekend, the car's performance has changed significantly, making it much more enjoyable to drive. Although I was optimistic, things didn't go as planned. I'll work on bouncing back from this setback."

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Max Verstappen discusses the F1 drivers' dinner following a disagreement with George Russell, according to a report by Lewis Larkam from Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen mentioned that he has not yet had a conversation with George Russell after their disagreement at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marked the end of the F1 season.

During an eventful media day on Thursday, tensions flared between the Red Bull driver and Russell, heightening their conflict just before the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

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At the annual driver dinner hosted by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on Thursday night, the two individuals chose to sit separately. Valtteri Bottas from Sauber covered the expenses, disclosing that the total came to approximately £4,000.

After Saturday’s qualifying round at the Yas Marina Circuit, Verstappen provided some insight into the dinner, describing it as "good."

"We really enjoyed ourselves. Of course, it's impossible to have a conversation with every person at the table," Verstappen remarked.

Verstappen responded to questions regarding the recent gathering of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association following an online photo showing him with Russell.

Verstappen responded by saying, "Everything was fine."

Despite not having resolved his differences with Russell, Verstappen emphasized his desire to put their conflict behind him and move forward.

"I haven't had a conversation with him," he stated. "To be frank, I don't feel the need to discuss it further, as it's no longer essential."

"Honestly, all has been discussed. I'm just eager for some time off."

Verstappen describes his 'pretty intense' recovery

Despite experiencing a significant skid as he exited the last corner and losing control of his Red Bull, Verstappen managed to secure the fifth position on the starting grid in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen mentioned that there was a moment when he was looking at the wall and thought it might be intense, but realized it wasn't going to be fast.

"Throughout the entire weekend, we struggled to find the perfect setup, which was unfortunate. Frequently, drivers were cutting their laps short on fresh tires."

At the start of each session, the people behind me were using worn tyres, while I fitted new ones. It wasn't bad, but it's not my preferred way of doing things.

"The vehicle never felt completely stable, as I mentioned before. It was somewhat challenging to handle in certain turns, which made maintaining consistency quite hard."

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Charles Leclerc remains hopeful about his chances for the F1 championship even after being eliminated in the second qualifying round, stating, "I have faith in miracles." He added, "I perceive a chance to achieve something extraordinary, and I will strive to accomplish it."

Charles Leclerc remains determined not to abandon Ferrari's aspirations of clinching the 2024 F1 constructors' championship, even after being eliminated in Q2 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In a surprising turn of events, Leclerc was knocked out early in the qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit because his fastest lap was invalidated due to breaching track boundaries.

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Adding to Leclerc's frustration, he will begin the race from the rear due to a 10-place penalty imposed for changing his engine.

Looking back on the qualifying session, Leclerc expressed: "It wasn't great after a performance like that. We showed some improvement. Honestly, I don't believe we could have outpaced the McLarens, as they appeared too powerful, but securing fourth place was within our reach."

"The choice was between starting in position 15 or position 20, and being in 15th place is preferable to 20th. However, if my lap time is disqualified, it means we would have to start from 20th position. This situation isn't simplifying things for us, but it does encourage me to aim for something extraordinary in tomorrow's race."

"My objective is unchanged: I aim to secure the constructors' championship. I am just as confident in achieving this as I was before, despite the fact that it will clearly be challenging according to the statistics."

Despite Leclerc's lap being disqualified and receiving an engine penalty, McLaren still has a significant advantage.

As they approach Sunday's race, McLaren holds a 21-point lead over Ferrari.

This implies that Ferrari must secure both first and second place, while McLaren's drivers can only afford to finish in fourth and fifth positions at most.

Leclerc expresses his faith in "miracles," even though he will begin the race from a less favorable position.

"I have faith in miracles," he remarked. "There's no doubt that this situation complicates things for us significantly. The 10-place grid penalty certainly posed a challenge from the start. Nonetheless, I view this as a chance to achieve something extraordinary, and I am committed to giving it my all."

"I'll keep my faith until the final lap, because anything is possible."

Ferrari anticipates being "in a stronger position"

Throughout this year, Ferrari has generally shown improved performance during race days, marking a significant difference from their performance in 2023.

Leclerc believes that Ferrari will perform more strongly in the race compared to their qualifying results.

"The speed during the race was fine, but McLaren appeared to have a much stronger performance," he mentioned. "We've made several adjustments to the car since the third practice session, and I believe it was a positive move."

"Our tire wear is less severe compared to others, so I anticipate being in a more favorable situation."

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George Russell has entered a prestigious group after his recent victory against Lewis Hamilton. This season, Russell has excelled in his qualifying rounds for Mercedes, showcasing impressive performances.

George Russell has become the first Formula 1 driver to surpass Lewis Hamilton in qualifying sessions during the period they have been teammates.

For three years, Russell and Hamilton have been teammates, frequently showing similar levels of performance.

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Starting from 2022, Russell and Hamilton have each accumulated a total of 685 points.

Nonetheless, Russell holds an advantage in the qualifying rounds.

Over the course of three seasons, Russell has managed to lead in the qualifying matchups with a score of 39-29.

This indicates that Russell is the first partner to achieve this throughout their entire period of collaboration.

During the 2014 season, Nico Rosberg managed to qualify ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but over the course of their four years competing together, the British driver ultimately emerged as the

In their debut year as teammates in 2022, Hamilton outperformed Russell in qualifying sessions, ending with a 13-9 advantage.

In 2023, the two drivers from the Mercedes team ended up with a tie at 11-

In 2024, Russell has clearly dominated with a record of 19-5.

Hamilton versus his F1 teammates in qualifying sessions: Hamilton has 29, while Russell has 39.

Hamilton scored 70 points, while Bottas

Hamilton scored 42 points, while Rosberg earned

Hamilton 70 – Bottas 30

Hamilton has a score of 44

Hamilton scored 26 points, while Kovalainen earned

Hamilton leads Alonso with a score of 9

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George Russell becomes one of the few to outqualify Lewis Hamilton

This season, George Russell has consistently performed well in qualifying sessions for Mercedes.

George Russell holds the distinction of being the first Formula 1 driver to outpace Lewis Hamilton in qualifying sessions during their tenure as teammates.

For the past three years, Russell and Hamilton have been teammates, frequently showing similar levels of performance.

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Starting in 2022, Russell and Hamilton have both accumulated a total of 685 points.

When it comes to qualifying, Russell holds the advantage.

Over the course of three seasons, Russell has outperformed, achieving a head-to-head record of 39 wins to 29 losses.

This indicates that Russell is the first partner to achieve this during their entire period together.

In 2014, Nico Rosberg managed to qualify ahead of Hamilton, but over the course of their four seasons together, the British driver ultimately prevailed.

In their debut year as teammates in 2022, Hamilton outperformed Russell in qualifying sessions with a score of 13-9.

The two Mercedes drivers were tied at 11-11 in 2023.

In 2024, Russell has decisively led with a 19-5 record.

Hamilton versus his F1 teammates in qualifying rounds: Hamilton has secured 29, while Russell has achieved 39

Hamilton 70 – Bottas 30

Hamilton scored 42, while Rosberg scored

Hamilton scored 70 while Bottas scored

Hamilton scores 44, while Button

Hamilton scored 26 points, while Kovalainen scored

Hamilton scored 9, while Alonso received an

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Line-up for the start of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in F1 following Nico Hulkenberg's penalty

This is the arrangement for the beginning of the F1 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Here is the lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marks the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

McLaren secures the top two spots on the starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Lando Norris taking pole position and his teammate Oscar Piastri right behind him.

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Carlos Sainz secured the third position for Ferrari, while Max Verstappen moved up to fourth after Nico Hulkenberg received a grid penalty that dropped him three places.

Hulkenberg received a grid penalty for passing two vehicles in the tunnel area as he exited the pit lane.

Due to the penalty, Pierre Gasly moves up to fifth place, positioning him just in front of George Russell from Mercedes.

Following a penalty, Hulkenberg is set to begin the race from the seventh

Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas are set to take their turns next, with Sergio Perez starting from the 10th position in what is anticipated to be his last race with Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton faced a surprising exit in the first qualifying session and is set to start his final race with Mercedes from the 16th position.

Charles Leclerc starts from 18th position due to a 10-place grid penalty imposed after Ferrari had to replace the car's battery.

Williams drivers Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto will begin the race in 19th and 20th positions, respectively, after each received five-place grid penalties for surpassing their allowed gearbox usage for the season.

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Nico Hulkenberg has received a grid penalty, dropping three positions, due to an overtaking violation at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Nico Hulkenberg received a penalty, resulting in a three-place drop on the starting grid, after he passed two vehicles on the pit exit lane during the F1 qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg shone during the qualifying session, achieving a fourth-place finish at the Yas Marina Circuit.

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Nevertheless, he is set to begin Sunday's race from the seventh position on the starting lineup.

Why was Hulkenberg given a penalty?

The officials stated: "The Stewards received input from Nico Hulkenberg, the driver of Car 27, as well as a team representative. They also examined data from the marshalling system, along with video footage, timing information, and evidence from in-car cameras.

During the hearing, the driver acknowledged that he disregarded the Race Director's instructions. However, he argued that he had no choice but to break the rules to complete a lap.

"Although the Stewards recognize that the location of the team’s garages constrains their ability to deploy the cars onto the track, this cannot justify violating any rules."

Restrictions on overtaking in specific zones, such as the pit lane or, in this instance, the pit exit, are put in place to avoid potentially hazardous circumstances. Consequently, the Stewards have decided that a grid penalty is justified in this situation.

What were Hulkenberg's comments?

Although Hulkenberg demonstrated impressive speed during the practice sessions on Friday, he was surprised by how well Haas performed.

Speaking with Sky Sports, he said, "From the first practice session yesterday, I had a positive vibe and a strong sense that finishing in the top ten was certainly within reach this weekend. However, did I expect to do this well? No, not at all," Hulkenberg shared with Sky.

"Several of the leading competitors are having some difficulties. However, our car is performing well, and we've been executing our strategies effectively, resulting in a strong qualifying session for us."

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Christian Horner responds sharply with a "wolf" remark following Toto Wolff's "terrier" jab. Lewis Larkam reports from Abu Dhabi that Horner has rekindled the Formula 1 rivalry with Toto Wolff.

Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull F1 team, has responded sharply to Toto Wolff after the Mercedes boss referred to him as a “yappy little terrier.”

The final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has become a battleground for the intensifying conflict and exchange of accusations between Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell. This heated situation stems from the penalty imposed on the four-time world champion during the Qatar Grand Prix.

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The head of the Mercedes team entered the ongoing drama by criticizing Horner, thereby reviving their longstanding rivalry that has been simmering since the contentious championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen in 2021.

During the FIA press conference on Friday at the Yas Marina circuit, Horner replied to Wolff's teasing remark.

In a statement to the press, which included Crash.net, Horner expressed his fondness for terriers, stating, "I adore terriers; they are fantastic dogs!" He went on to share that he has owned four of them, including a pair of Airedales, often referred to as the top tier among terriers. Additionally, he mentioned having two West Highland terriers named Bernie and Flavio.

"One of the best qualities of terriers is their incredible loyalty. Bernie was a feisty small dog, often ready to confront anyone. On the other hand, Flavio was much more relaxed and possibly had a tendency to overeat."

"Consider this: being labeled a terrier, is that really a negative thing? Terriers have the courage to challenge larger dogs. Personally, I would prefer being referred to as a terrier rather than a wolf, perhaps."

When questioned about the possibility of the dispute between Verstappen and Russell affecting their on-track performance this weekend, Horner responded, "No, not at all."

Max is known for being incredibly honest and direct, always expressing his views without holding back. He shares his genuine feelings and doesn't sugarcoat the truth. Last weekend, he expressed significant frustration with how events unfolded.

This was an unfamiliar situation due to the resulting grid penalty. He used it as motivation, got off to a fantastic start, and ultimately won the grand prix, which was the best way to respond.

"Clearly, there was a lot of attention on it yesterday, as it's the time of year for pantomimes. With Christmas approaching, there might be a bit of a year-end slump. However, I believe it won't impact the grand prix event."

Horner characterized Wolff as "very theatrical" and expressed his astonishment that Mercedes was not concentrating on Hamilton's last race with the team.

Horner mentioned that there appears to be a dynamic where Toto enjoys disliking him. He described it as a complex relationship.

"I would have thought he’d be more occupied, given that it's Lewis's final race with the team. They should be celebrating this occasion instead of concentrating on other matters."

Verstappen 'only speaks the truth'

Russell dramatically accused Verstappen of intentionally threatening to collide with him and to "slam his head into the f*****g wall" during the Qatar event, an allegation that the Dutch driver has denied.

Horner was asked if he thought Verstappen actually made the comments that Russell claimed. He replied confidently, stating that Max always speaks honestly, so he fully trusts that what Max said is true.

"Naturally, there were additional individuals present in the stewards' rooms, and they too returned with feedback, expressing their astonishment at the strategy that was employed."

In response to Toto's remarks, I won't engage with them. Each person has their own approach to managing themselves and their teams. With 122 race victories and 14 world championships under our belt, I believe we're performing quite well.

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Helmut Marko advises George Russell to be honest regarding the tension with Max Verstappen. Helmut Marko comments on the ongoing conflict between Max Verstappen and George Russell, reports Lewis Larkam from Abu Dhabi.

Helmut Marko, who advises Red Bull on motorsport matters, has become involved in the ongoing conflict between Max Verstappen and George Russell from Mercedes in Formula 1.

The disagreement emerged at the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend, where Verstappen expressed that he had "lost all respect" for Russell. This was due to Russell's involvement in causing Verstappen to receive a penalty for driving too slowly during the qualifying round.

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Verstappen lost his pole position, allowing Russell to advance and take the lead spot. Despite this, the four-time world champion quickly overtook Russell and secured his ninth victory of the season in Qatar.

During the media day on Thursday, which took place before the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Russell intensified the dispute. He informed reporters, including those from Crash.net, that Verstappen had supposedly threatened to deliberately collide with him and "smash his head into the f*****g wall."

Verstappen rejected Russell's accusations, calling the British driver a "backstabber" and a "loser."

Marko Joins the Supporters

Marko, a close associate of Verstappen, has recently expressed his backing for the Dutch driver.

The 81-year-old Austrian insisted that Russell must "remain truthful," although he feels the matter has now "escalated excessively."

Marko mentioned to Sky Germany that the situation has escalated excessively and ideally should have remained a private matter among the drivers.

"Most importantly, it's crucial to remain truthful. This is likely a conversation best kept within your own group."

Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull team, and Toto Wolff, his Mercedes counterpart, have also become involved in the conflict, exchanging criticisms with each other.

Wolff initially referred to Horner as a "cheerful little terrier." In response, the head of Red Bull remarked, "Is being labeled a terrier really a negative thing? Terriers aren't scared to challenge larger dogs. I might prefer being a terrier over a wolf."

Horner stood up for Verstappen, noting that Max is very direct and shares his honest perspective, expressing exactly what he thinks and feels.

"Much has been said about the situation. As the festive season approaches and people prepare for Christmas, there might be a hint of end-of-term fatigue. However, I believe this won't influence the Grand Prix event."

Lewis frequently travels internationally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He often provides on-site reports, sharing the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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