Max Verstappen couldn’t hold back his frustration during the Hungarian Grand Prix, letting loose a flurry of curse words over the radio. His engineer, Gianpiero Liambiase, was on the receiving end, and the FIA isn’t too pleased.
It all started when Verstappen was asked to give up his second-place position to Lando Norris. The reason? The stewards were investigating him for leaving the track. Verstappen wasn’t having it. He fired back with a series of expletives, questioning the fairness of the decision.
As the race progressed, his frustrations only grew. By lap 36, Verstappen was trying to overtake Lewis Hamilton but found himself struggling with understeer. Frustrated, he criticized the team’s strategy and car setup over the radio, using more colorful language.
The situation escalated when Verstappen’s attempt to pass Hamilton failed, leading him to criticize the team again. His engineer tried to manage the situation, but Verstappen continued to express his anger, blaming the team for ruining his race.
The drama didn’t stop there. Verstappen and Hamilton collided towards the end of the race. Verstappen’s effort to influence the FIA stewards through his radio messages was called ‘childish’ by his engineer. When asked about his language after the race, Verstappen didn’t hold back, telling critics to ‘turn the volume down.’
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton weighed in, suggesting that Verstappen needs to remember he is part of a team and should act like a world champion. The FIA seemed to agree, urging teams to address foul language with their drivers.
However, the FIA stopped short of taking significant action, unlike previous instances where they issued official warnings for similar behavior. Verstappen remains defiant, claiming his language is a part of his drive for success.
As the dust settles, Verstappen heads into the Belgium Grand Prix with a ten-place grid drop due to engine penalties. He’s won the last three times at Spa Francorchamps, even with penalties. But this year, the RB20 has shown vulnerabilities, adding tension to an already dramatic F1 season.
While Verstappen’s fiery radio messages and the FIA’s response have stolen the spotlight, the real test awaits at the Belgium Grand Prix. Will Verstappen’s defiance translate into another spectacular win, or will his team’s strategy leave him fuming once again?
