The incident occurred while Verstappen was executing an extra warm-up lap during Q3, moving at a considerably slow pace before his final push. During this period, Russell, on a different preparation strategy, approached and caught up with Verstappen between Turns 12 and 14.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen followed up his Formula 1 drivers’ title with another win Sunday in an incident-packed Qatar Grand Prix as Lando Norris was hit with a penalty that ended his challenge