Now that the drivers’ Formula 1 title has been determined, there is an almost-school-out atmosphere in the paddock during the final triple-header weekends. The drivers have talked about “enjoying” their time on track and “being in the moment”, but of course the question of the constructors’ championship still needs to be resolved.

McLaren are the favorites heading into this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi and their 30-point lead means Ferrari need an all-dominating weekend. Should the Scuderia get the forty-four points they have to offer, the McLaren duo will only need fifteen between them and they will take their first team title since 1988.

Still, there is an issue in F1 land that could dominate the final race weekend of the 2024 season. George Russell made the remarkable claim that he feared Max Verstappen had ambushed him at the start of the recent Qatar Grand Prix.

Button described the stewards’ decision as “shocking”.

Russell had complained bitterly to the race stewards that Max was driving too slowly, which resulted in the newly crowned world champion losing his pole position and falling down one place. Verstappen had replied that Russell was two-faced and claimed he had lost everything “respect” for the British driver.

Meanwhile, fellow world champion Jenson Button focused his anger on the “shocking” Decision making in the stewards room.“The problem for me is that he (Verstappen) has Fernando Alonso in front of him at exactly the same speed.” Button said. “It’s not like Max just left. ‘You know what?’ I’ll put the anchors in place and hit the brakes in the middle of a high-speed turn.

“He has the same distance to the car in front throughout turns 12 and 13. It’s shocking to me that he got a punishment, it really is. It felt like it should have been just like everyone else. We also had that in sprint qualifying.”

Ex-F1 colleague and Sky expert Anthony Davidson explained the reasons for the penalty, but had to agree with his Sky colleague that the decision was highly unusual.

Sergio Perez announces his early retirement

Verstappen’s F-bomb is aimed at Russell

As Russell had feared, Max came out full force as the lights went out, forcing Russell to go around the outside of turn one. Norris also took advantage of the Mercedes’ avoidance and pushed past Russell in the second corner.

While the victorious Verstappen celebrated his victory, he had words for Russell in their ongoing argument. “Do you know what it is? He (Russell) always acts very nice here in front of the camera, but when you’re in there (in the stewards’ room) he’s just a completely different person.

“I can’t bear this. Then it’s better to just leave because I don’t have to worry about it. To be honest, it was very disappointing because I think we all have a lot of respect for each other here. I’ve been in that meeting room with people I’ve raced many times in my life and career. And I’ve never seen anyone try to screw someone over so hard. I have lost all respect for myself.

“I just thought it was ridiculous how he tried to force a penalty on me and I was very angry with him.”

New F1 race director under fire

Russell no olive branch

Meanwhile, Russell didn’t exactly offer his fellow Formula 1 driver an olive branch. After the race he said: “To be honest I was expecting a crash but in the end we made it easy for him.”

He added that he did “No concerns” about his relationship with Verstappen and said: “We know Max is a fighter and aggressive, I expect nothing less and I really wanted to go out there and fight him today.”

Meanwhile, Red Bull has one final weekend to decide who will replace the inevitably departing Sergio Perez. The Red Bull team boss appeared to give strong hints in Qatar that Sergio would soon announce his retirement from the sport.

After a technical failure in Qatar, Checo failed to score points for the sixth time this season for the team, which is now officially in third place in the constructors’ group this year.

Michael Schumacher’s bodyguard in court

Red Bull’s attention turns to Checo

When asked about Sergio’s future after the desert race, Christian Horner seemed to suggest that his driver would retire. “I will let Checo (Pérez) draw his own conclusions, no one is forcing him one way or the other.” said the Red Bull team boss. “It’s obviously not a nice situation for him.”

Despite signing a new contract extension in June for 2025, Sergio’s form in the second half of the season has led to ongoing speculation that he is close to being released. Having made it to Abu Dhabi, Red Bull is now offering the Mexican a worthy exit from the team.

“Look, Checo has had a very tough year.” Horner added. “Obviously the points table is what it is.

“We’re very focused on really supporting him until the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi and then of course it’s not a happy situation for Checo as there’s speculation in that position every week.

“He’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is and yeah, let’s see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”

Former F1 race director is back in control

Sergio did some research after the race

This was a departure from the previous “we support Checo whatever it takes” narrative that Horner had used, as he now indicates that this support will end in Abu Dhabi.

Perez withdrew from the Qatar Grand Prix due to a technical defect, but had to expect another penalty in the form of a sanction from the sports stewards for a while. Checo was investigated after the race for “attempting to re-enter in a dangerous manner”, but it was determined that it was clutch failure after the spin that put him in a dangerous position.

“Car 11 (Pérez) spun and came to a stop on the right side of the track.” said the stewards’ statement. “The driver then appeared to drive directly across the track, perpendicular to oncoming traffic.

Perez spared the stewards’ penalty

“However, the evidence presented showed that the driver attempted to quickly turn 90 degrees clockwise but suffered a clutch failure which resulted in the car traveling across the track.

“Although this appeared potentially dangerous on the video, the driver’s attempted movement was possible under normal circumstances and only clutch failure caused the reported incident.”

Former champion driver Jason Plato believes there will be no shortage of offers when the Mexican ends his F1 career. “IndyCar, sports cars, GTs, touring cars and village egg spoon racing would no doubt welcome him.” Plato suggested – not without a little cheek. But next year most competitive drives in all international motorsport series have been taken, although Indycar seems a natural home for Mexico’s latest greatest racing hero.

Colapinto F1 exit

There is a lead between Mercedes and Red Bull Racing that goes back to the days of the title fight between Hamilton and Verstappen in the 2021 Formula 1 season. With the impending departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, it now appears that newly appointed team leader George Russell will take on the role of the Silver Arrows’ chief agent.

Last time out in Qatar, the gap between the teams and their drivers widened when Russell and Verstappen found themselves on the same piece of tarmac in qualifying. Max was on his second cool-down lap in Q3, following Fernando Alonso who was also preparing for a push lap.

Russell, who was next on track, had a different tire preparation program and was much faster than the Red Bull and Aston Martin before him. Despite being able to see the slower moving car in front of him, Russell pushed to get on the back of the RB20 at Turn 14. READ MORE