After a fiery outburst in Hungary, Max Verstappen’s radio tantrum left fans buzzing.
- Verstappen started strong this season but has faced stiff competition from McLaren and Mercedes.
- The Dutchman’s frustration peaked when his team strategies faltered, landing him a fifth place.
- A candid conversation at Spa with Christian Horner aimed to smooth things over.
- Horner defended Verstappen’s passion while addressing the team’s culture of fear.
Max Verstappen has been a force to reckon with this F1 season, securing four wins out of the first five races. However, recent races have seen a shift in Red Bull’s dominance, with McLaren and Mercedes closing in fast. As tensions rose, Verstappen’s infamous radio rant during the Hungarian Grand Prix caught everyone’s attention. His disappointment stemmed from the team’s strategy that left him finishing in a distant fifth place. Verstappen’s frustration was palpable, especially after a late clash with Lewis Hamilton, which led him to express his unfiltered thoughts in colorful language, telling critics to “f**k off.”
Criticism followed swiftly, with other drivers like Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton calling for Verstappen to “act like a World Champion.” Yet, the heat of the moment is something many athletes experience. Verstappen, known for his passionate nature, had an animated but friendly discussion with his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, at the Belgian Grand Prix paddock. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, stood by his star driver, arguing that his passion is part of what makes him great. According to Horner, such outbursts are blips that are quickly resolved since Verstappen usually calms down rapidly.
In an effort to move past the incident, a meeting was held at Spa with Horner, Verstappen, and Lambiase. Horner revealed to Sky F1 that their long relationship means any issues are openly discussed and resolved. This approach appeared to pay off, as Verstappen and his engineer seemed more in sync during the Belgian Grand Prix. Horner shared that attempting to interfere during the Hungarian race would have only escalated the situation, emphasizing instead the importance of handling such issues off-track.
Horner admitted that during the race, trying to control Verstappen might have done more harm than good. He highlighted the necessity of managing driver personalities without instilling a fear that could lead to conservative decisions within the team. Horner noted that, despite the heated exchanges over the radio, Verstappen was calm by the time they reached the airport, showing his ability to move on swiftly. The bond within Red Bull appears intact, as everyone knows Verstappen’s passionate and spontaneous nature—and accepts it as a part of the package.
Tensions may flare, but Verstappen’s passion remains a driving force for Red Bull, with the team focused on resolving any hiccups swiftly.
