Max Verstappen launched a scathing attack on George Russell after securing victory at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, who initially qualified on pole, was handed a one-place grid penalty for allegedly driving too slowly on a slowing-down lap, disrupting Russell on a warm-up lap. As a result, Verstappen started behind the Mercedes driver.

Speaking after the race, Verstappen expressed his frustration over Russell's involvement in the stewards' decision.

"He's always very nice in front of the cameras, but in person, he's completely different. I can't stand him, so he might as well go f*** himself," Verstappen told Viaplay.

In the FIA press conference, the quadruple world champion elaborated on his feelings about the incident in the stewards' room.

"I've never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard," Verstappen said. "I lost all respect. But in a way, I was also like, yeah, I'm not surprised anymore in the world that I live in."

Before Sunday's race, cameras caught Russell approaching Verstappen for a handshake. However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner suggested the atmosphere remained tense during the drivers' parade.

"It seemed like there were some harsh words exchanged," Horner noted.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris defended Verstappen's in-race radio complaint about Norris' failure to slow down for a yellow flag, which resulted in a stop-go penalty for the McLaren driver.

"Good for him," Norris said. "Everyone does that. I would do the same." body check tags ::