Three weeks ago in Austria, Max Verstappen and race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase used their radio communications to press home their version of events to the watching stewards as the world champion sparred with Lando Norris.
But Verstappen often didn’t the kind of support he is used to from Lambiase during his ill-tempered drive to fifth place in yesterday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.McLaren criticised Red Bull’s radio comments after the race in Austria, saying they were incorrect to accuse Norris of breaking the rules. “I don’t think anybody thought Lando did anything wrong,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.
“I think things are going to happen on track, but I think we need to all be honest with each other and our drivers. To kind of lay the blame in front of everyone at Lando, when I think it was clear it wasn’t Lando’s fault, was just inappropriate.” The FIA later confirmed Verstappen should have been given a formal warning for his driving during the race.
Have Red Bull taken that criticism on board? Lambiase was far less willing than usual to indulge Verstappen’s complaints, and eventually shut them down completely, during a race which clearly taxed the patience of both.
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Verstappen’s Hungarian Grand Prix radio
Jump to:
“We’ve got the pace here”
“It’s understeering and oversteering”
“We feel it’s slightly on the early side”
“It’s unbelievable”
“Press and hold the overtake”
“It’s quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut”
“Don’t give me that bullshit”
“It’s childish, on the radio”
“Send the medical delegate up to see the stewards”
“We’ve got the pace here”
The first flashpoint occured within seconds of the start. From third on the grid, Verstappen went off at the first corner and rejoined in front of Norris.
While Norris pointed out Verstappen had approached the corner with the intention of running wide and passing him, the Red Bull driver insisted he had been forced off. As race control confirmed the matter had been referred to the stewards, Red Bull told their driver to give up the place to avoid a penalty.
Significantly, on this occasion Lambiase did not tell Verstappen he was wrong, confirming “I agree with you” after he’d let Norris go. But they did not see eye-to-eye on other incidents later in the race, and Lambiase had made it clear he was not willing to let the argument go on.
Red Bull decided it was better to avoid incurring the wrath of the stewards and live to fight another day. At this stage in the race they believed their car was quick enough to fight Norris.
| Lap: 1/70 VER: 1’28.336 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I got forced off. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Mode six. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 2/70 VER: 1’24.026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I was ahead at the apex and he just opened, I got forced off. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 3/70 VER: 1’24.075 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, the incident is under investigation. I think our recommendation is you let this go. We can talk about it later. So if you let Lando past down to turn one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Why don’t they just say what they think and then we decide. That’s just bullshit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So recommend we give that place back into turn one, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Okay, so you can just run people off the track then. You can tell the FIA that’s how we’re going to race from now onwards. Just drive people off the road. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 4/70 VER: 1’26.075 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, we’re got the pace here, mate. Just let him through. It’s a long race. We’ve got the pace. Head down. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Verstappen lets Norris past approaching turn two Yeah but that’s not my point. |
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| Lambiase | I agree with you. But let’s just get this done now. Now head down. Let’s go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“It’s understeering and oversteering”
As the first stint unfolded, Verstappen became increasingly frustrated with his car’s handling. In previous races this year Lambiase has made relatively few balance suggestions, certainly compared to the stream of recommendations Sergio Perez has received in the other Red Bull, but on this occasion he and Verstappen were clearly leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of improvements during the race.
| Lap: 9/70 VER: 1’24.444 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Got a left brake vibration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | B-bal eight. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Nine is also available, Max, that’s the same peak as well. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 10/70 VER: 1’24.514 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Just to confirm Max b-bal nine is available if you need it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 11/70 VER: 1’24.374 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And balance update please Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Well, it’s understeering and oversteering. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, and front flap for the next stint. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | It’s on the low side but the only way I can survive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Would you like to change to the high-speed diff Max? Turn four, turn 11? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | No, not for now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, understood. Well, you have control of that as normal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 12/70 VER: 1’24.422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Max, Piastri doing more lift-and-coast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 13/70 VER: 1’24.769 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So just to confirm, Piastri easier into the braking zones one, two 12 and also into high-speed, four. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“We feel it’s slightly on the early side”
Red Bull’s strategy calls were a major factor in Verstappen’s rising frustration. He was especially unhappy key rivals he was racing made their first pit stops before him in an attempt to ‘undercut’ them.
At this stage in the race Red Bull were clearly alert to the possibility Lewis Hamilton behind Verstappen would make an early pit stop, and advised Verstappen when the Mercedes began to increase his pace. But they were also hesitant to bring Verstappen in too soon.
Their goal was to ensure his final stint began late enough that they could run the quicker medium compound tyre. But in doing that they allowed Verstappen to get trapped behind Hamilton.
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| Lap: 15/70 VER: 1’24.538 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Hamilton is reducing management turn four, turn nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 17/70 VER: 1’24.690 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So pace ahead 24.2. Hamilton in pit lane, Max. We were discussing it ourselves already, Max, but we feel it’s slightly on the early side. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 18/70 VER: 1’24.691 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I can’t brake, I can’t enter corners. Front end is just really bad. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Copy that, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 21/70 VER: 1’27.027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Box and pit confirm, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 22/70 VER: 1’41.788 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay Max so initial pace for the hard – well, for the runners ahead – 23.4. So Hamilton, Norris and Piastri hard tyre. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 23/70 VER: 1’22.769 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Last lap for them 23.2, gap ahead 6.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Delta to Hamilton, five laps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“It’s unbelievable”
Verstappen closed in on Hamilton in the second stint, but his frustrations with his car’s handling remained.
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| Lap: 30/70 VER: 1’23.150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 22.8. Just have another look at gear three, [turn] six and seven, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | No it’s absolutely dog-shit there. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 32/70 VER: 1’23.134 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, recommend less throttle between turns eight and nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 35/70 VER: 1’25.757 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I’m minus five brake bias and the thing just doesn’t fucking turn. It’s unbelievable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Press and hold the overtake”
Once Verstappen got within range of Hamilton, he was able to deploy full power in his attempt to overtake. However at one point he appeared to encounter problems activating the correct setting, and as he came on to the pit straight Lambiase helped him find the correct mode.
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| Lap: 39/70 VER: 1’24.675 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Leclerc will have DRS next lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Approaching final corner Mode nine. |
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| Lap: 40/70 VER: 1’25.005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Verstappen comes out of the last corner behind Hamilton but appears to have difficulty using his power boost Press and hold the overtake. |
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| Verstappen | Nine? Five or nine? It’s shit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And then press and hold the overtake Max, if you’re in mode seven. Thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“It’s quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut”
Verstappen’s ire rose further as Hamilton rebuffed his attempts to pass. At one stage the Red Bull driver appeared to have completed a pass into turn two, only two run wide.
Soon afterwards, pushing Verstappen to a new peak of frustration, Hamilton dived into the pits before the Red Bull driver once more.
| Lap: 41/70 VER: 1’23.221 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So both Hamilton and Leclerc in pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | It’s quite impressive how we let ourselves get undercut and just completely fucked my race. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 43/70 VER: 1’23.393 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So McLaren pace 24.0. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 46/70 VER: 1’24.003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay so Norris in pit lane. Piastri 24.1. Gap nine seconds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 48/70 VER: 1’24.253 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Front flap update please Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Well, I’d prefer to be like this and leave it on the understeer side than oversteer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 49/70 VER: 1’26.468 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I’m losing so much time with this traffic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Copy that, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Box and pit confirm, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Don’t give me that bullshit”
Red Bull extended Verstappen’s middle stint to lap 49, later than both McLaren drivers, giving him a 21-lap run to the chequered flag on mediums. Even so, they were anxious not to take too much life out of the tyre at the very beginning of the stint, to ensure they still had enough in them to pass the cars ahead.
Verstappen, no doubt eyeing the bonus point for fastest lap, immediately reeled off the quickest lap of the race so far. This scenario has played out previously this year, and Lambiase gently admonished him.
But Verstappen was in no mood to hear it. His response was a torrent of invective punctuated with expletives:
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| Lap: 50/70 VER: 1’39.290 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So that’s a nine-lap tyre delta to Hamilton and Leclerc. Hamilton on hard, Leclerc medium. So just think about how you bring the tyres in gently please, Max. That’s a 21 lap stint. First stint also 21 laps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Track temp now compared to the start. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | It’s down a couple of degrees, Max, but not too dissimilar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 51/70 VER: 1’20.908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Fail 10. Fail 10. McLaren place 21.8 for a reference on medium. Hamilton 22.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 52/70 VER: 1’21.171 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Verstappen sets the fastest lap of the race so far Well, that’s some gentle introduction. |
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| Verstappen | No mate don’t give me that bullshit now. You guys gave me this fucking strategy, okay? I’m trying to rescue what’s left. Fuck’s sake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“It’s childish, on the radio”
Any relief Verstappen felt at the ease with which he got past Charles Leclerc, despite the Ferrari driver being on the same compound as him, only lasted as long as it took him to catch Hamilton. The Mercedes driver, running to the end on hards, was much less obliging.
Verstappen took a speculative look at the outside of Hamilton at turn two on lap 62. His rival was never going to leave the door open, and the rules didn’t require him to. Lambiase knew this, but for once, perhaps riled by the ear-bashing he’d received up to that point, was not prepared to indulge Verstappen’s performative complaints.
| Lap: 62/70 VER: 1’23.090 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Verstappen tries to pass Hamilton around the outside of turn two but the Mercedes driver leaves him no room Shouldn’t you leave a car’s width? |
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| Lambiase | We think you were behind at the apex, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Okay, whatever. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The next time around, Verstappen spied an opportunity to attack Hamilton as they lapped Alexander Albon, who was unwilling to move his Williams off-line. Verstappen made for the inside at turn one, locked up as Hamilton squeezed him and the pair made contact, the Red Bull pitched briefly into the air.
Again, Verstappen opened his radio in the hope of triggering a penalty for his rival. But again Lambiase shut him down, this time harder than ever. It proved effective: Verstappen did not make another remark about the incident from that moment on. After the race the stewards cleared both drivers.
| Lap: 63/70 VER: 1’28.648 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Verstappen and Hamilton collide at turn one He moved under braking. |
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| Lambiase | I’m not even going to get into a radio fight with the other teams, Max. We’ll let the stewards do their thing. It’s childish, on the radio, childish. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Send the medical delegate up to see the stewards”
Although Verstappen said little over the final laps, he had one parting shot for the stewards after taking the chequered flag.
| Lap: 64/70 VER: 1’23.764 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Did I pick up damage? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | All okay for the moment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So fail 84. And I understand the medical delegate needs to have a look at you, examine you, under parc ferme conditions when you get out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | You could send the medical delegate up to see the stewards maybe they can have a look they are all okay. I’m absolutely fine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unusually, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner did not come on Verstappen’s radio at the end of the race, as he usually does to offer congratulations or commiserations or, as in Austria, blame a rival driver for a collision. It gave the impression of a chastened Red Bull team at the end of a race where Verstappen’s combative driving had not paid off.
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2024 Hungarian Grand Prix
- McLaren team orders “a new situation we’re inexperienced at handling” – Piastri
- Verstappen dismisses critics of “vocal” radio messages and late-night simracing
- Norris’ former McLaren team mates say he was right to give up win
- Mercedes surprised Hamilton’s car was “completely unscathed” in Verstappen clash
- McLaren is first team to produce two new winners in a season since 2001
Red Andy (@red-andy)
22nd July 2024, 11:11
Rare to get a genuine zinger over team radio, especially from a driver, but this is a good one. Probably the highlight of Max’s day, given how miserable the rest of it was.
Timmy
22nd July 2024, 11:34
Considering the rest of the race, I don’t think it really counts as a zinger. In the context of his whinging in the rest of the race it just sounds like another petulant throwaway line.
Verstappen is so fast, but Red Bull’s constant coddling of him even when he’s clearly in the wrong has left him stunted when it comes to maturity. Just like ’21 you can see that he comes apart at the seems when things aren’t going his way. It’s a shame.
Mr B
22nd July 2024, 12:25
I agree that this wasn’t Verstappen’s finest performance or behaviour, I don’t understand why he was so grumpy, frustrated or whatever all weekend. He knew his car wasn’t the fastest so it was time to put his head down and make the best of what he had.
There was much talk on the commentary about him being up until the early hours of Sunday morning competing in a SiM race and this, even for someone as young as him, cannot be the best preparation for the GP.
He may currently have a big lead in the championship but the way that McLaren is performing there is every chance of them reeling him in, he can’t afford to needlessly throw away points.
Esteban (@esteban)
22nd July 2024, 21:17
Sleep deprivation is the answer. He stayed up playing video games, and got up early to keep playing videogames.
Illusive (@illusive)
24th July 2024, 9:30
Its nothing to do with that and everything to do with A) The upgrades dont work B) He had to give the place back which I thought was unfair. C) Bad strategy from the team considering Max had already warned them of undercut threat before the race. D) No penalty for Hamilton moving under braking.
Doh
23rd July 2024, 1:53
Is it? Doesn’t make much sense because the stewards hadn’t said anything or even given max a penalty so it didn’t make much sense
GF
23rd July 2024, 13:46
They hadn’t given Hamilton a penalty, which is what Verstappen was expecting to happen
Oople
22nd July 2024, 11:37
Reading everything in succession, I wonder if there was a pit wall falling out before the race.
From the extra tension and anger than usual (not just because Max was lower down – he was in much higher spirits in Monaco in a similar position), to the absence of Horner at the end.
Of course it’s likely just the frustration from not being as competitive this weekend, but there were a lot of interactions that could have ulterior trigger points, too.
David
22nd July 2024, 12:07
I don’t know about before the race but there have been quite a few messages recently between the pit wall and Max that sound like authentic frustration rather than the “joking” that the commentators keep calling it.
Anyway Max was completely in the wrong to go for that lunge on Hamilton, no wonder GP didn’t want to start pleading his case over the radio.
Max may have been frustrated with the strategy but if he had kept his nose clean a podium was still on the cards.
Pflite
23rd July 2024, 9:07
I agree with you, Max had the time to attack Hamilton as he did before with Leclerc, waiting to get close enough to fully use DRS power. He lost his patience as he often did when battling with Lewis. Also post race Marko remarks about wrong strategy are wrong to me. With fresher hard tyres Max has been able to fight for the third, and he would have got it, if not for his own mistake and lack of patience. Many times we have seen Lewis in the same position, with Bono working on him to keep the faith he would be back to fight for the position he had to catch.
In regards of the “mood” of conversations between Max and GP, I think GP kinda assumed the role of defending the team, on the circuit (strategist) and at the factory; Max comments were also bad, IMO, when he almost laughed at rivals at the beginning of the year, when he was winning races at ease.
One last personal note. I’ve experienced that the lack of sleep could lead to an increased irritability (I think it’s also a studied medical issue), that could explain Max bad mood during the race. I think it would be more professional to avoid that kind of pass time. Blue light influence, increased hearth ratio, late sleep are all enemies of the good recovery…with thousands of people working for me to put me in a position to win a race and a championship, I would do 100% of my best to be sure to race at the best possible physical and mental conditions.
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 11:47
Without Newey, RBR is already lost. Good job, Jos. Your power play worked perfectly.
As for the radio messages, Alonso got labeled toxic for complaining about the car when it basically took coming out of a corner onto a long straight with at least .8 to not get passed and finishing 12th was a heroic effort. So, to see how Max and Lewis (2022-2023) have reacted when the car isn’t a guaranteed podium contender makes me chuckle at the idea. But it’s not toxicity in this case, just a “measure of how competitive they are!” BTW, I’m a fan of both Lewis and Max. Just saying, it’s amusing. Almost all these drivers are incredibly selfish. Doesn’t really work when they aren’t.
Broderick Harper (@banbrorace)
22nd July 2024, 12:05
I haven’t been aware of Lewis’s moaning been anywhere near the league of classic Alonso or Max.
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 12:09
I specified it wasn’t this year. We know the car is ***, Lewis. Please just drive it. Also, besides McLaren, Alonso was never vocal over the radio. And almost any top driver would be driving a car that lost 2 seconds a lap on the straights alone.
sam
22nd July 2024, 17:54
You have a fixation.
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 12:12
Toto: Does “We know the car is shut, Lewis. Please just drive it.”
Besides McLaren-Honda, when has Alonso been vocal over the radio? And almost any top driver would be driving a car that lost 2 seconds a lap on the straights alone. Either way, my point was that ALL the top drivers are intolerably whiny when given junk to drive.
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 12:12
Toto: Does “We know the car is shut, Lewis. Please just drive it.” ring a bell?
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
22nd July 2024, 13:33
I feel that Lewis tends to sulk rather than moan, but as Nick T. says, all racing drivers are selfish.
They have to be don’t they?
David BR (@david-br)
22nd July 2024, 14:09
Precisely what I thought reading through the dialogue. If you think the car is bad now Max, just wait until next year. And thank your dad.
I don’t mind Verstappen’s comments in general, when he’s not just insulting people, I just see it as an interesting insight into his thinking, even when he’s totally wrong about incidents. I’m not sure how some of what he says plays out with his race engineer and the rest of the team. But there’s no doubt he does everything possible with the car and he get that he wants the same 100% from everyone else.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
22nd July 2024, 11:53
Not even near a Championship fight and the meltdown has begun.
I do like Max’s work ethic though, pull an all-nighter with your mates playing video games then turn up to work and put in a half a$$ed shift while blaming everyone else when things go pear shaped…
Doh
23rd July 2024, 1:58
Wouldnt it be amazing if Norris somehow made up 40 add points in the next two races. Would be a dream especially since the redbull does not look the best car
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 12:03
BTW, knowing they are going to be broadcast on TV and to race directors (whether or not they actually hear them instead of just the team agent) has made me almost hate getting the radio feed at all. The ceaseless whining, appeals for penalties, etc. by nearly all the drivers is irritating.
Patrick (@paeschli)
22nd July 2024, 12:45
Killed my enjoyment of the race.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
22nd July 2024, 13:38
I love it.
I consider all professional athletes to be flawed individuals who will do anything to win. Even claim to be a different gender if means they can grab an Olympic Gold.
Keep the radio open. Let’s listen to the meltdown as it happens :)
David BR (@david-br)
22nd July 2024, 14:11
@nullapax Me too. I wonder whether the drivers have a button they can press that tells the pit wall ‘BTW what I just said is complete BS’ (like: ‘my tyres are going’, ‘good time to pit’ etc.)
Edvaldo
22nd July 2024, 15:23
Same here. The race itself wasn’t even good, the radio messages is what gave everybody something to talk about.
Mayrton
22nd July 2024, 20:23
Yeah, the childish remark drom GP was aimed at Norris Austria behaviour.
Fred Fedurch
22nd July 2024, 23:23
Bin Russell is the worst of the bunch. He needs a Hall Monitor sash.
David West
22nd July 2024, 12:06
Ah so the “gentle introduction” was a criticism of Max’s initial pace on the fresh tyres, didn’t get that during the race.
Yeah so the leaving no room in T2 was Hamilton paying you back for lap 1 Max, it works both ways you know ;-)
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 12:15
People should listen to the F1TV feed instead of the Sky feed if that wasn’t made clear during the race. The F1TV crew is also a lot more insightful. BTW, what I’m referring to is that if you watch using F1TV, you can select the announcer feed.
And, yeah, Max went to whole seconds faster in a single sector on his new tires. He was driving on tilt.
Mark
22nd July 2024, 15:20
Totally agree. Sky is absolutely unbearable. Crofty is so biased for and biased against certain dirvers. The whole broadcast is painful. F1TV is generally very good. Much better for actual F1 fans, much more real information less … Sky nonsense
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 23:34
Kravitz’s bias is even worse. Brundle, likely because he was a driver, seems like the only member of the team not to have any excessive bias. However, so was Herbert and he’s an utter clown.
Doh
23rd July 2024, 2:01
It’s a shame sky does the international feed
Dog
23rd July 2024, 2:00
Wow again. Missed hat, thanks. Same as Monza 21
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
22nd July 2024, 12:22
Not even near a Championship fight and the meltdown has begun.
I do like Max’s work ethic though, pull an all-nighter with your mates playing video games then turn up to work and put in a half hearted shift while blaming everyone else when things go pear shaped…
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 12:28
Not sure that’s a fair assessment, but pulling all-nighters before a race and losing your cool so easily is not a good look. Though, it’s clear Max feels he’s above having to look good and he’s probably right. For now anyway…
Ajaxn
22nd July 2024, 12:34
Is Verstappen on a new record – Most Laps with DRS and not make the overtake?
Anthony
23rd July 2024, 0:38
LOL
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
22nd July 2024, 12:37
Can someone please enlighten me and tell me what the difference was with incidents between VER and HAM in Silverstone and yesterday. Driver on the outside holding the line. Driver on the inside dive bombing.
David
22nd July 2024, 13:08
You can’t really “dive bomb” into a corner without a braking zone, ie Copse is pretty much flat.
Hamilton was alongside Max going into Copse in 2021, Max was never nearly alongside Hamilton at Hungary until he suddenly appeared with his wheels locked up and not getting near to making the corner.
AlanD
22nd July 2024, 16:53
Jim, after reading your question, I went back for another look at the 2021 incident to compare them side by side. At Silverstone, LH has the car at least partially alongside for a couple of seconds before reaching the point where MV starts turning in. At Hungaroring, LH has just started his turn in while the Red Bull is still fully behind him. At Silverstone, LH would have been able to take the corner at that speed. At Hungaroring, by the time MV is alongside, his tyres are locked, he has no steering ability, he isn’t going to make the corner, and the cars are going to collide no matter what line LH takes.
Was MV wrong to go for that move yesterday? No, I don’t think so. Obviously he badly misjudged it but I didn’t think it was a sign of immaturity, and it is exciting to see drivers on the limit of what their cars can do. But his reaction afterwards, his inability to see that, despite locking up hopelessly and having no control over the car, that he still wanted everyone to blame the other driver and couldn’t see where he’d made an error,… that I thought was immaturity.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
23rd July 2024, 0:44
@aland
Thanks for the in depth analysis. I agree with your comment on blaming the other driver. At Silverstone Red. I’ll was looking for a race ban for that move and here VER was looking for a penalty for the other driver. That is ridiculous thinking.
Sonny Crockett (@sonnycrockett)
22nd July 2024, 13:23
Petulant man-baby.
Great driver though!
ben
22nd July 2024, 13:49
Is he?
He’s extremely quick, but his actual racing ability is so poor. He’s one of the worst wheel to wheel racers on the grid. When he needs to overtake its clumsy dive bombs with no intention of making the corners. When he’s defending he’s moving all over the track and in both instances he’s causing clumsy collisions. His driving always seems so desperate.
David BR (@david-br)
22nd July 2024, 14:18
Unlike some drivers, I think he does what he intends to do most of the time. He’s controlling the car right on the edge. Losing the grip into the first corner yesterday was a rare miscalculation for him. The problem is what he intends to do. He means to intimidate and push his way past, while someone like Alonso only passes when he’s worked out the perfect time. So ‘hard racing’ versus racing elegance. Which wins more prizes? The former probably.
wbravenboer
22nd July 2024, 14:39
I agree this was not his best day there…
But apparently all team bosses, drivers, journalists, ex-drivers, ex-champions and so have it wrong and you know better?
ben
22nd July 2024, 15:34
You can’t put every single person related to F1 in a group and say they all share the same viewpoint. That’s simply not true. I can think of many, many instances where every one of those you listed have criticised his style of driving.
Ruben
22nd July 2024, 16:41
Brazil 2016 shows that he can do it. I think he’s actually very good at positioning the car for wheel-on-wheel fighting (see Norris 2024/Leclerc 2019 in Austria) he knows what he’s doing until he gets frustrated.
Mark
22nd July 2024, 15:24
Max has had so many remarkable wheel to wheel battles in all conditions and track styles over the years. This is pure nonsense. He has a handful of bad outcomes when he sees no other choice than to attempt something that has a high likelihood to not work. There are times when he would be better off waiting.
Hungary is an example of the latter. He would have gotten Lewis if he was more patient. His wheel to wheel racing is sublime. He rarely hesitates and makes the move at the first possible opportunity.
Eamonn Flood
22nd July 2024, 19:14
Excellent and correct. It’s jarring seeing Max make that move in Hungary. There was plenty of time to size Lewis up and make a more calculated move. No strategy in the world could have had him getting better than third place so he was where he needed to be behind Lewis. An all-time great like Prost or Lauda would have realised this and maximised their points, and been very happy with third. Come on, Max. You’re better than this.
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 23:38
Yes, he’s an amazing driver even if he’s had wayyyy too many crashes. I don’t put it down to skill. It’s more like Schumacher. Unwilling to let anyone by and expecting intimidation to cause people to move out of the way. Only someone with an intense dislike for Max could say otherwise. It reminds me of when people say the same about Lewis. “Oh, he can’t drive unless it’s from the front!”
Ironically, it was a bit true of Seb. Wheel-to-wheel racing was always his achilles heel.
BLS (@brightlampshade)
22nd July 2024, 13:23
I’m always half hoping that Verstappen will come into the pits one day and there will be no team there to meet him. “come on Max, you don’t need us after all, you’re the hero here”…
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
22nd July 2024, 13:47
You need to get some focus back Max.
Stop blaming everyone and everything and just get back to driving solid, mature, races.
Icarus
22nd July 2024, 14:14
I laughed so hard when he said this on the radio. Verstappen’s entire MO is to deliberately brake later on the inside of an opponent so that he arrives at the apex earlier, carry too much speed to take a normal line, then take a huge sweeping line to the outer edge pushing his opponent off. He’s done it so much that it’s become the defacto way of overtaking to push your opponent off as long as they aren’t ENTIRELY alongside.
It was even richer because in this case that’s NOT what his opponent(s) did. Lando even saw it and called out his maneuver live on the radio. Verstappen braked so late he knew he was committed to going off and was just going to argue he was pushed off, and should get to keep his place. It’s the same grey area in the rules Alonso exploited a few years ago, except now they won’t allow it anymore.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
22nd July 2024, 15:57
Spot on. The Brazil race where VER is 10 yards over the line and HAM has to drive wider than that. No penalty there so yes Max, it is not a penalty to push people off track.
Tunde
23rd July 2024, 16:03
That corner was rechristened “Verstappen Straights”
I guess he wanted another corner rechristening in Hungaroring
PB
22nd July 2024, 14:22
“You can tell the FIA that’s how we’re going to race from now onwards. Just drive people off the road.”
This is how Verstappen has always driven. What’s new?
The collision with Hamilton while understeering in a lock up was clearly his fault. He was failing to take the corner.
Next he’ll complain that the track moved towards the apex in his braking zone.
Arhn (@arhn)
22nd July 2024, 15:17
Verstappen was despicable.
And let’s just not talk about how he kept complaining for being pushed out of the track when he does this to all of his opponents.
I admire Lambiase for keeping calm and cool headed, despite Verstappen’s behavior and criticism.
Mark
22nd July 2024, 15:28
Despicable? Really? Come on. Frustrated, even a bit petulant, yes. He is battling at 10/10ths. He is fighting for every advantage he needs from himself and from his team. This is what the best do. Sometimes I wish they wouldn’t play team radio and just let the warriors in the arena (including the team not just the driver) talk to each other however they see fit without whiny judgment from fans sitting on their couches.
kcrossle (@kcrossle)
23rd July 2024, 1:32
But, anyway. “Despicable” seems to capture Verstappen’s driving, doesn’t it?
Arhn (@arhn)
23rd July 2024, 11:01
His whole team, including his engineer, is also battling “at 10/10ths”. As a reminder, he won his championships thanks to their commitment. So he didn’t have to treat them like “sh*t” because of their “this f***ing strategy”.
It’s funny how you find excuses for Verstappen when there are so many other sportsmen and sportswomen also “battling at 10/10ths” without having to insult other people, stewards etc. The other “warrior in the arena” (Lambiase) talked the way he saw fit and shut Verstappen up without having to use the F word.
Biggsy
22nd July 2024, 15:48
Imagine if Alonso had this kind of meltdowns every time his car was only good for 3rd place. He wouldn’t have won a single title, let alone took 2012 WDC to the final lap.
Max is extremely one-dimensional driver. Besides speed, all other aspects of his driving are absolutely amateurish. His attacking, his defending, his mental composure… It’s like watching an F2 desperados.
Nick T.
22nd July 2024, 23:41
No! No! He’s toxic! Remember those times he complained about having 150hp less than everyone else for five 4 straight seasons?! Utterly toxic!
Edvaldo
22nd July 2024, 15:54
The team has been enabling him to behave this way for 10 years. He was never in the wrong even once since 2016, according to them.
Now he’s throwing them under the bus and now they decide that his behavior is childish. It for sure took a while.
Mayrton
25th July 2024, 12:43
Bus? he is demanding. As he should be. He plays his position. Everyone else in the team should have the same attitude. I agree it is better to do it behind close doors though. As for the childish remark: it was aimed at the other drivers who frequently use the radio as a political instrument – Norris, Russell and Hamilton are the ones he was taking aim at with this remark.. it was meant as we as RedBull are above all this ‘he left the track, he moved under braking whining of Lando lately and Lewis & George frequently.
bull mello (@bullmello)
22nd July 2024, 16:34
What would Jim Clark say on the radio, in this day and age, compared to Max?
David BR (@david-br)
22nd July 2024, 17:20
@bullmello ‘Can you get that new rock and roll stuff on this thing?’
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
22nd July 2024, 19:11
” Where’s the gear stick?…. And whats with the steering wheel?… Last time I saw this many buttons in one place was when I was asked to judge the 1964 Mid Lothian Cardigan Makers competition “
kcrossle (@kcrossle)
23rd July 2024, 1:34
Jim would say nothing. He’d simply leave them behind. Max in his wayward pram.
Stoo
23rd July 2024, 14:12
Spot on Sir, and that’s exactly what his reaction would be, especially as he’d be behind and someone else’s problem !
SteveP
23rd July 2024, 18:02
Seriously? Jim Clark was a driver who could make almost any car look good, this weekend Max made a good car look average.
Hamilton simply should not have been in the running for a podium when up against the RBR, and yet he was.
The dutch ‘god’ seems to have feet of clay.
bull mello (@bullmello)
24th July 2024, 14:48
Well said @SteveP
Jim Clark is my favorite race driver in my lifetime. Also a gentleman too.
He knew how to race in each car he drove and made it better.
Obster
22nd July 2024, 19:11
Great recap, Keith.
Important part of the race.
Thanks.
Retired (@jeff1s)
22nd July 2024, 19:12
«That’s silly Seb. Come on»
João Macedo
22nd July 2024, 19:14
This thing of “divebombing” is nonsense, the expression is only used to put blame on the driver you don’t like. “Outbraking” is the correct word to describe the brake later on the inside in order to overtake the opponent at the entrance of a corner. Sometimes it doesn’t work, sometimes it’s not done correctly, sometimes it ends in a accident.
MadMax (@madmax)
22nd July 2024, 19:27
Divebombing is the correct word for sending it on the inside, without chance make it around the apex, just passing by completely blocking the other driver.
Jim from US (@jimfromus)
23rd July 2024, 0:50
Agree. Out braking means you’re able to brake, even if you slide a bit. VER locked it up and was pointing straight while the track was to the right.
Richard
22nd July 2024, 19:49
Yet another week where the FIA confirm they should have done something during the race to Verstappen but didn’t, broken record here.
Applebook
22nd July 2024, 20:06
They declined to punish Max because Lewis was unaffected, and he lost a position. I’m tired of stewards judging based entirely on outcome and not intent too. Intent matters even more to me than the outcome.
Patrick (@anunaki)
22nd July 2024, 20:02
Max is very fanatic. You may like it or not. I think he overdid the comments on the radio but that’s an internal redbull thing to handle.
It reminds me of Michael Jordan and all the criticism he received from former teammates. But he won a lot with his fanatic mentality. And in the end that’s probably all he cares about.
PB
22nd July 2024, 21:05
You missed one:
“It’s so unfair, the track moved towards the apex in the braking zone”.
MoogleSlam
23rd July 2024, 19:20
Max is really tarnishing his legacy. He could very well be the fastest driver on the grid, maybe the fastest driver of this generation when it’s all said and done, but his antics on the radio, and his disregard for the rules and clean racing, have not only changed his public perception, but have changed the rules of engagement for the entire grid, and perhaps for F1 for years to come.
FlyingLap (@flyinglapp)
23rd July 2024, 19:57
Max is only fast in the fastest car. He’s ordinary in ordinary cars, and dangerous too.