Formula One has an expectation for its drivers to be akin to gladiators, poised sports personalities involved in fierce competitions, making it somewhat ironic when there is a collective gasp at Max Verstappen’s harsh cursing during the recent Hungarian Grand Prix. Is it not peculiar that the fuss over his coarse language seems to sidestep the more pertinent issue at hand?
Verstappen unleashed a vehement rant full of expletives regarding his Red Bull team’s underwhelming performance in Hungary. The on-duty radio censor struggled to keep pace with his profanity-laden tirade, which included one instance of the word “bullshit” and two unmistakable F-bombs within the same explanation of his dissatisfaction.
The 26-year-old reigning world champion’s vehicle, which had recently received accelerated upgrades in preparation for the Hungarian race, was less than impressive, with handling difficulties due to understeer – Verstappen’s nemesis. Poorly timed tactical decisions made by the team only worsened the situation, causing Verstappen to recklessly attempt to pass Lewis Hamilton, which resulted in a collision and a disappointing fifth place finish.
Interestingly, his ultimate response when confronted about his critics’ views that he had overstepped the line and disrespected his team was concise, saying “They can all f**k off”.
F1 authorities may have been taken aback by his colourful language, and as per reports, in the run-up to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, have reminded the teams that their drivers should behave like role models, including moderating their language. However, it should be remembered that one doesn’t get gladiators sans a bit of bloodshed. What holds more significance is Verstappen’s stark anger and frustration and how unnerved he seemed to be on the defensive.
In a significant defeat at Hungaroring, Verstappen was outrun by McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who have a speedy vehicle that is deemed equal to, if not faster than that of the Red Bull, an unprecedented situation in comparison to the previous few seasons.
Verstappen displayed remarkable dominance in 2022, taking home the win for 19 of the 22 races. His Red Bull team-mate Sergio Pérez has failed to pose a significant challenge and doesn’t seem likely to remain with Red Bull after the F1 summer break commences post Spa.
In the current season, Verstappen opened with notable power, pocketing seven of the first ten races, securing a hefty 76-point lead over his competitor Norris. Despite his consistent wins, Verstappen faces stiff competition from a revitalised McLaren. A challenge of this magnitude is something he hasn’t dealt with since his gruelling combat with Hamilton for the 2021 title and he appears to be struggling.
Voicing his angst at Spa, he claimed a sense of betrayal and ineffectiveness. He stated his determination and ambition to strive for perfection at every race, but acknowledged the challenges in achieving it. Venting his frustration when things don’t go as planned is a part of the process, particularly with the high adrenaline that comes with the sport.
A significant obstacle emerges this weekend as Verstappen faces a 10-grid position penalty for using his fifth engine of the season, one over the prescribed limit. Red Bull chose to risk potential points loss in Belgium, taking into account the favourable overtaking conditions on the track.
The coming task, however, is unlikely to be as straightforward as the last two Ardennes dashes where he managed to win from 14th and 6th on the grid. With McLaren and Mercedes proving to be stern competitors, Verstappen may be prone to further frustration, especially if Norris seizes the lead.
He perceives a victory as unattainable, a reality that could reflect poorly on his behavioural responses once again. The following ten races post Belgium will be critical and observing how the world champion handles the potential fracas will undoubtedly be enthralling.
The initial practice session gave us a reason to be hopeful, with his position half a second ahead of Piastri. Nonetheless, during the afternoon’s simulation qualifications, Piastri and Norris outperformed him, pushing Verstappen into third place by a slight margin of two-tenths. The racing pace amongst the top three appeared closely contested. – Guardian