Things are getting worse for Red Bull and Max Verstappen as they’re unable to stop the criticism count. For the past few weeks, the Dutchman had been on the radar of F1 experts due to his hostile racing. While Red Bull defends its starlet, others show no mercy as they troll and criticize him online.
The 2024 season started with a bang for the Milton Keynes-based outfit as both the drivers were finished on the podium. However, as the season progressed, things started getting blurry. First, the internal chaos that erupted after Christian Horner was embroiled in a sexual misconduct case. Later, rivals like McLaren and Ferrari decoded the RBR technical innovations and tweaked them to their advantage. A former Mercedes driver has analyzed Verstappen’s recent performance, identifying a key habit that is hindering his results.
Max Verstappen’s Sim Racing Hobby Sparks A Row Of Criticism
The winning chariot of Red Bull hit a blockade as the rivals destroyed its domination. According to the F1 aficionados, McLaren has emerged as a new leader. While the MCL38 is arguably the quickest among the lot, young drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are also in a magical touch. With both the rookies registering their maiden F1 victory this season, the Pappay crew is certainly on the right track. While Norris and Verstappen share a strong friendship, their rivalry is currently the talk of the town. Experts frequently compare the two champion racers, with many asserting that the Dutchman is the more skillful driver. Surprisingly, former Mercedes champion Nico Rosberg draws an intriguing contrast between the routines of the two athletes.
In a recent discussion with Sky Sports, Nico Rosberg drew a comparison between Lando Norris’s and Max Verstappen’s approaches to their professional routines. The veteran German racer was impressed by Norris’s growth into a more disciplined athlete. He noted that while Norris used to be less meticulous in his approach, he has now adopted a highly professional routine, with precise timings for bedtime, wake-up, and breakfast. In contrast, Rosberg expressed disappointment with Verstappen’s habits, revealing that Verstappen was engaged in sim racing until 3 a.m. Further, the German racer suggested that this behavior reflects a level of complacency in Verstappen, who is accustomed to dominating with relative ease.
Red Bull’s Take On Verstappen’s Lack Of Sleep Due To Gaming
Following the Hungary Grand Prix, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko addressed allegations that Max Verstappen’s performance was harmed by late-night sim racing. The top RBR advisor refuted the allegations, pointing out that Verstappen stayed up much longer at Imola and still won the race.
Furthermore, he stated that Verstappen has a particular pattern and that his late bedtime is unusual for him. Furthermore, Marko reported that the triple champion did not wake up at 10 a.m. in Zandvoort despite helicopters circling his campervan, indicating that he slept regularly.
