Verstappen admits to giving fan 'the finger'

Max Verstappen has revealed he gave a fan "the finger" during qualifying after initially receiving a rude gesture from the individual. 

Three-time champion Verstappen stunned F1 by claiming his eighth consecutive pole position for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, despite struggling throughout all three practice sessions.

McLaren and Ferrari were expected to fight for pole but Verstappen had the final say, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris claiming second and third. Piastri, however, has received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Haas' Kevin Magnussen.

Being the home of Ferrari, the Tifosi have been out in force at Imola. It resulted in the top three being asked for their thoughts on them this weekend during the post-qualifying press conference.

It was this question, which led to Verstappen revealing his comical situation.

"Honestly, it's been great," said Verstappen. "And actually, I had a funny story in qualifying where we were driving in the pits…"

He continued: "A lot of people were clapping. Then one guy, he was doing some different things to me, so I gave him the finger. 

"And then the next time I came around, he was clapping. So, you know, they learn. You know, it's easy to be not nice to drivers, but I can also be not nice to you, you know! So, luckily he was a bit higher up. But it's good."

'Same guy' spotted by McLaren

Hilariously, the same individual was seen by Piastri, who received a slightly different hand signal.

Instead of being shown the finger, the Australian driver said: "Yeah, I saw the same guy, I think. He wasn't giving me the finger, but he was giving me the thumbs down. But he was clapping for you."

Norris also saw the person who tried to offend Verstappen, although the Briton is convinced the individual was a supporter of his.

"Yeah, I saw the same guy, but I think he was on my side," joked Norris.