Max Verstappen reports F1 rival over 'massively illegal' action during Canada GP qualifying

Max Verstappen reported one of his Formula 1 rivals over team radio during Canadian Grand Prix qualifying over what he described as an 'illegal' action.

Verstappen qualified in sixth place for Sunday's race, just over three tenths behind polesitter George Russell.

The Dutchman repeatedly complained about the performance of his car during the opening two sessions, citing a lack of straight line speed.

He told Sky Sports reporter Rachel Brookes that his lack of pace was 'confusing' and that he 'didn't know' exactly what was causing it.

Q3 was more encouraging, despite the overall finishing position, and Red Bull will hope that the threat of rain on Sunday over could help close the gap to the frontrunners.

READ MORE: FIA trigger 'rain hazard' rule for second time in F1 history ahead of Canadian GP

But as he prepared for a push lap during the final qualifying session, Verstappen vented to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase over an incident on the track.

'For no reason...' - Verstappen fumes at Mercedes during Q3

The four-time world champion was close behind one of the two Mercedes cars, but complained that they were 'massively illegal on their delta'.

"Uhh, this Mercedes in front, he's massively illegal on his delta for no reason," Verstappen told Lambiase.

Though he didn't expand further, Verstappen was likely referring to the lap time and minimum speed that drivers are required to stick to during their warm-up laps in qualifying.

Mercedes had already been involved in their own internal team conflict earlier in the day, with Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli involved in an incident during the sprint race.

Antonelli argued that Russell forced him off the circuit at turn eight, and complained to his race engineer Peter Bonnington over team radio.

"That was very naughty ... that should be a penalty, I was alongside the wing mirror!" he fumed.

Bonnington told his driver to 'keep it cool' and 'focus on the driving' but Antonelli did not relent: "I don't care, he pushed me off!"

That prompted an intervention from team principal Toto Wolff, who took over radio duties to tell Antonelli: "Kimi, concentrate on the driving please, and not on the radio moaning."

READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli demands punishment after incident with George Russell during Canada GP sprint

The Canadian Grand Prix gets underway at 9pm UK time at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The FIA have declared a rain hazard ahead of the race, with the chance of rain at over 40 per cent.

That means teams can change their set-ups under parc ferme conditions - which is usually not permitted barring minor adjustments - without receiving a penalty.