Sky Sports presenter shares shock new detail into Max Verstappen and George Russell feud after hearing 'rumours'

Sky Sports presenter Simon Lazenby has shared some shocking new details about the clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell during the Qatar Grand Prix.

Despite qualifying in pole position for his first race as a four-time world champion, Verstappen was forced to start the Qatar Grand Prix from second after hit with a one-place grid penalty for an incident with Russell during qualifying.

Although he came back to win the race, Verstappen spoke afterwards about how he had lost all respect for Russell due to him pushing for the Dutchman to be handed the penalty ahead of the race on Sunday.

And now, a top Sky Sports presenter has revealed a surprising new detail about the pair's discussions before the race began.

According to Sky Sports' Verstappen approached Russell before the race to tell him exactly what he planned to do in order to take the lead on the first lap, and he stayed true to his word.

“I heard – rumour has it – that he actually told George that he was going to do that prior to the start of the race,” said the presenter.

Having lost his pole position due to the grid penalty, Verstappen wasted no time in reclaiming his place in front of the pack, as he overtook the Mercedes driver on the first corner of the first lap, taking the lead of the race.

And, while it isn't clear exactly what the Dutch driver said to Russell before the race, Lazenby’s colleague Naomi Schiff suggested that he had sworn at Brit.

“I’m not going to repeat the words,” she said.

Mercedes driver George Russell finished the Qatar Grand Prix in fourth, while Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen won the race. (Image: Getty)

“I don’t know if the FIA will give me a fine if I repeat the words! I think Max had a word with George after they left the stewards’ room. I think he made the message very clear that he should watch his back.”

Before the incident both drivers were reportedly on good terms with each other, but the fallout from the weekend's race could may have caused lasting damage to their relationship.

Speaking in the official press conference after the race on Sunday about Russell, Verstappen said: “I’ve been in that meeting room many times in my life with people I’ve raced – and I’ve never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard. I lost all respect.”