2021 F1

Verstappen roasted by F1 pundits, calls BAD sportsmanship

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2021

user

Verstappen roasted by pundits, calls BAD sportsmanship

F1 championship challenger Max Verstappen has been accused an unprofessional behaviour over his quick response to Lewis Hamilton’s victory celebration. Following the podium incident Formula 1 commentators called it was a poor sportsmanship by Verstappen.

The championship contenders were extremely fight for the top podium place in the Sunday’s Saudi Grand Prix. Two-time Lewis Hamilton was ‘run off’ the track by Verstappen’s extreme defensive driving.

After the second defensive move, Verstappen was ordered to hand back the position to Hamilton. Following the instruction Dutchman slowing down the back straight into Turn 27 to cede position to Hamilton, the Mercedes driver appeared to be caught out and ended up hitting the back of the Red Bull. This resulted in far more significant damage, but Hamilton was able to continue.

F1 guru Martin Brundle said on Sky Sports: “He walked off the back. He does not want any part of that. He clearly feels very aggrieved that he had to give the lead back — having offered the lead back, but there was contact”.

David Croft said: “Verstappen doesn’t want to celebrate on that podium tonight. If the gloves weren’t off before, they certainly are now.”

Twitter was scathing of Verstappen’s behaviour.

BBC sports commentator Sulaiman Folarin wrote: “Max Verstappen just confirmed he is a BAD sportsman. He walked off the stage without celebrating as customary. Where are his Apologists?”

Sports science doctor Rajpal Brar posted on Twitter: “Max Verstappen – cmon man. Understandable to be disappointed but after some of today’s tactics and then to walk off the podium & not celebrate in the customary celebration – that’s just poor sportsmanship”.

Sports marketing professional Arvindi Hickman posted: “Verstappen showing his class by storming off from the podium celebrations. Very childish”.

Journalist Antonello Guerrera wrote: “After all the dirty tricks on track, Verstappen even abandons the podium. Just pathetic”.

Hamilton gives his version of the contact with Verstappen: “I didn’t get the information, so I didn’t really understand what was going on, it was very very confusing, all of a sudden he started backing up and started moving a little bit [across the track], I was like: “Is he trying to play some crazy tactic? I don’t know.” The message started coming through just as he … like, he hit the brakes so hard that I nearly went up the back of him and took us both out.

“For him … it doesn’t matter for him if we don’t both finish. For me, we both need to finish … but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

“I’m personally chilled … I’m personally chilled … I feel like I’m in the boxing ring, and I’m ready to go.”

“For me, I had to try and keep my cool out there which was really difficult to do, and, like, I’ve raced a lot of drivers through my life, in the 28 years [of racing] I’ve come across a lot of different characters, and there’s a few like at the top which are kind of, yeah, over the limit … yeah … rules don’t apply, or don’t think the rules apply.

“Today, I just tried to do my talking on the track, keep the car between the white lines, and do it the right way, I was trying to catch … we got the pole, then I lost out, then I got back past, he passed over the kerb.

“There were just so many crazy curveballs … then he obviously brake-tested, I think, to try and get the DRS back into turn 1 to overtake me again. There was the commotion, I lost my wing … I took a lot of risks to get fastest lap.

“He’s [Verstappen] over the limit, for sure. I mean I’ve avoided collision on so many occasions with the guy and I don’t always mind being the one that does that, you live to fight another day, which I obviously did.”

“I took a lot of risk at the end, with the damage that I had, to get the extra point [for the fastest lap] … we keep pushing, we never give up … today I think I’ve seen a passion in my team which I don’t think I’ve seen in 10 years, and that’s amazing.”

2021 F1

What penalty do Red Bull face for breaching F1 cost cap?

Published

6 months ago

October 10, 2022

user

FIA recently confirmed that, Red Bull Racing have been found guilty of violating Formula 1 budget cap for 2021.

The Official confirmation by FIA said that a “minor” breaking of the budget cap. As resulted exceeding the budget by less than 5% or $7.25m – could have big consequences if the FIA decide to punish them.

Max Verstappen, who won a second F1 championship in weird conditions in Japan on Sunday, clinched the 2021 F1 title after late and controversial drama involving the safety car in Abu Dhabi.

The cost cap breaches penalty ranges from a public reprimand to a financial penalty or secondary level sporting penalties.

• Public reprimand
• Deduction of Constructors’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Deduction of Drivers’ Championship points awarded for the Championship that took place within the Reporting Period of the breach;
• Suspension from one or more stages of a Competition or Competitions, excluding for the avoidance of doubt the race itself;
• Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other Testing; and/or
• Reduction of the Cost Cap

Red Bull hint they will appeal FIA decision

The statement, released on their social meadi page read: “We note the findings with surprise and disappointment. Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit so we need to carefully review the FIA’s findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount.

“Despite the conjecture and positioning of others, there is of course a process under the regulations with the FIA which we will respectfully follow while we consider all the options available to us.”

2022 F1

Verstappen won his second F1 World Championship

Published

6 months ago

October 9, 2022

user

Max Verstappen won the rain hit Japanese Grand Prix and he secure his second world title as well. The Dutchman takes the full 19 points and his teammate Sergio Perez made second place, following the Charles Leclerc receives five seconds penalty, who crossed the line just ahead of Perez… but final corner cutting was given his time penalty.

Verstappen: It’s crazy

“It’s crazy. Very mixed emotions,” he said.

“Looking back, what a year we’ve had so far. It’s been incredible. It’s something I could never have imagined. After last year, fighting until the end, and then having such a good car again this year. I’m so thankful to everyone who has been contributing to this success.”

… More to follow

2023 F1

Nyck de Vries secures 2023 AlphaTauri F1 race seat

Published

6 months ago

October 8, 2022

user

The Dutch racing driver Nyck de Vries sealed AlphaTauri F1 racing seat as replaced the Alpine-moved Pierre Gasly for 2023 F1 season.

27 years old, former F2 and Formula E world Champion’s demand has been raised, after he made an extraordinary performance at Monza for Williams racing team, who finished ninth on his F1 debut.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023 and I want to thank both Red Bull and the team for giving me the opportunity to drive in F1,” the Dutchman said.

“After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it.

“I’ve had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season, I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come.”

“After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it.

“Having spent most of my teenage years in Italy for karting, I’ve always felt at home there, so for me, it’s great to be joining an Italian team, that already has a real family feel,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to start to build our relationship before the next season.”

AlphaTauri team head Franz Tost also gave his full care to De Vries, point out: “We are pleased to start a new chapter with Nyck, who’s very much welcome at Scuderia AlphaTauri.

“He is a very highly skilled driver, as he won in all the categories he competed in, with many races and championships under his belt.

“His last big success was winning the Formula E World Championship, and this is clear evidence that he is a very competitive driver, who deserves a seat in F1.

“I am looking forward to seeing him in our car and I’m confident that with Yuki and Nyck we will have a very strong driver lineup for 2023.”

The Austrian also paid praise to Gasly, who has spent at least part of every season at the team since his debut in 2017.

“AlphaTauri had a very successful time with Pierre,” he said.

“We will never forget his fantastic victory in Monza and his podium finishes in Brazil and Azerbaijan.

“I want to thank Pierre for all the effort he’s put into the team in the last years, and I wish him all the best for his future.”