Former driver sees Russell's actions towards Verstappen was 'led by others'

Following the Max Verstappen's one-place grid penalty for the Qatar GP, tensions were running high between the Dutchman and George Russell. Former F1 driver Christijan Albers sees why Russell acted in a certain way according ot him.

Verstappen was unhappy with the Mercedes driver's behaviour in the stewards' room back in Qatar after Saturday's qualifying session. According to the Dutchman, Russell tried everything to make him get a penalty. For that, Verstappen declared he has lost all respect for the Briton.

During the annuel dinner for Formula One drivers, another uncomfortable situation came up. There were empty seats next to Verstappen, but Russell chose to move the chair elsewhere. Later, according to Alexander Wurz, when taking the GPDA photo, drivers vouched that the two would be next to each other.

"You have to explain that scene a bit well too," Christijan Albers said in De Telegraaf's F1 podcast. "George is led by Lewis of course. And Norris who leads him as well. Norris who is all pretending to be Verstappen...but of course they are all hypocrites."

"You can see from the way George expresses himself that he has been cheered on by a few. You just notice that. 100%. That's just Lewis. 'I've had that too. Look at it'. And Norris of course in Austria," concluded the former F1 driver about the situation.

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