Max Verstappen, the three-time world champion, is currently leading Formula 1; however, not all motorsport legends are pleased with the Red Bull superstar’s contentious strategies.
Max Verstappen was involved in a “dirty manoeuvre” at the United States Grand Prix, and Jacques Villeneuve wanted an investigation into it.
Charles Leclerc was not in the starting lineup for last Saturday’s sprint race, which was led by Verstappen, the man who recently won his third consecutive world title. Leclerc was nearly forced off the track by the Red Bull star, who moved to cover the inside line.
Villeneuve felt Verstappen should have been looked into by the race stewards because of his pushy behavior. “Leclerc was pushed off the track, it’s too much,” F1 TV was informed by 1997 world champion Villeneuve. It wasn’t required.
“I don’t understand why a dirty manoeuvre or pushing a car to the edge of the track are things that should be looked into. The first lap should not be evaluated differently.”
Nonetheless, Verstappen’s strategies didn’t enrage Leclerc. “To be honest, if I were in his position, I would have done exactly the same,” the Ferrari star continued. It’s pushing the envelope, but that’s how I like to fight, as I’ve always stated. It didn’t work out for me today, but that’s okay. It’s an inherent aspect of racing, and I accept it.”
It’ll be interesting to see if Verstappen adopts the same tactics at this Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix, with no sprint race planned for the day before. The big talking point ahead of Sunday’s race is Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification in Austin last time out.
Hamilton finished second at the United States Grand Prix but was forced to give back his runners-up trophy after his car was spot checked by the FIA. The Mercedes motor was declared illegal for excessive wear on the underfloor skid block.
The FIA insists they don’t have enough time to check all 20 cars – noting “it is impossible to cover every parameter of every car in the short time available” – but Hamilton is urging them to do so out of fairness. Leclerc was also disqualified for the same offence.
Speaking ahead of this Sunday’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Hamilton remarked, “What’s crazy is they only test four cars, 50 cent fail.” Additionally, I’ve heard from numerous people who did illegal things but managed to get away with it. That is not right.”
“There are numerous other situations similar to this one in which some people have gotten away with doing certain things and some people have been unlucky enough to be tested,” he continued. To ensure that everything is equitable and uniform, a more robust framework is required.”
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