Nico Rosberg voices his concern over Max Verstappen’s late-night sim racing before the Hungarian Grand Prix.
- Max stayed up until 3am engaging in a virtual 24-hour race, which raised eyebrows from commentators and analysts.
- Rosberg emphasized the contrasting professionalism of Lando Norris, who follows a meticulous routine.
- There’s speculation on how these habits affect Verstappen’s performance on race day.
- Sky pundit Naomi Schiff mentioned the mounting pressure on Verstappen from McLaren’s improving pace.
In a candid discussion, Nico Rosberg couldn’t hide his disappointment about Max Verstappen’s decision to participate in a late-night sim race ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. While Verstappen is known for his dominant track performances, his off-track antics have become a talking point. Staying up until 3am for a virtual 24-hour race, Verstappen blended real and virtual racing worlds across the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, which did not sit well with former World Champion Rosberg. Verstappen’s fiery on-team-radio demeanor during the race prompted Sky F1’s David Croft to repeatedly mention the potential impact of the late-night sim racing on his real-world performance.
Rosberg reminisced about a conversation with McLaren’s Lando Norris, highlighting Norris’s transformation into a highly professional athlete. Rosberg praised Norris for his strict routine, detailing that Norris ensured his bedtime was at 11:05 pm, not a minute before or after, and had a precise plan for breakfast. This stark contrast to Verstappen’s late-night activities led Rosberg to tag Verstappen’s approach as less “professional,” hinting that his comfort with dominating F1 might have led to this laid-back attitude.
Meanwhile, fellow Sky F1 pundit Naomi Schiff weighed in on the situation by stressing that Verstappen might need to step up his game. As McLaren proved their mettle in Hungary with a standout performance, Norris trimmed Verstappen’s championship lead to 76 points. Schiff acknowledged the pressure on Verstappen, stating, “Max is in an advantageous position because he is ahead, whereas Lando is going to have to do all the chasing.” Yet, she also warned that continuous strong performances by McLaren could force Verstappen to exert more effort than he has in recent dominating seasons.
With McLaren closing in on Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, the intensity of the competition is expected to rise. Rosberg’s comments, along with those of other analysts, shed light on the tactical nuances and mental aspects that are as crucial as the physical demands of racing. Verstappen’s choices and their ramifications make for an intriguing subplot in the unfolding F1 season story.
Verstappen’s late-night activities have sparked a debate on the balance between passion and professionalism in motorsport.
