The last time Mercedes and Red Bull locked horns for the top spot was back in 2021, during the infamous Abu Dhabi race that changed the direction of the wind. The season finale race handed Max Verstappen his debut world championship title. On the other hand, it was the start of Lewis Hamilton’s worst career years. While the decision was debatable in 2021, it can take nothing away from the excellence of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman went on to win three consecutive world titles.
Three years later, Verstappen is rushing towards his fourth title while others are chasing packs. In pursuing the world title, the Dutchman again got a challenge from Mercedes, this time from George Russell. Mercedes, who were having a disappointing year, throttled past everyone to get the pole. However, the Red Bull driver showcased resilience to clinch the sixth win of the season. Moreover, after the race, the Dutchman consoled Russell, and fans praised his words.
F1 Fans Hail Max Verstappen’s Sportsmanship As He Extends Support To Russell
Unlike the 2023 season, when Max Verstappen was dominant, 2024 has presented new challenges. Of the nine GPs so far, Verstappen has emerged victorious in six. However, the triumphs were not easy, as rivals were getting stronger. Lando Norris took advantage of the safety car in the Miami GP, halting Verstappen’s winning streak. Later, in Imola, the Dutchman somehow managed to clinch the silverware. Further, when the F1 convoy reached Monaco, it was a nightmare for Red Bull. While Sergio Perez was ruled out in the first lap due to a crash, Verstappen failed to finish on the podium. However, the team was hoping for a turnaround in Canada. The start of the weekend was underwhelming as the RB20 was not at all compatible with the wet track. However, Vertsappen’s brilliance was yet again the savior as he clinched the sixth victory. While the Red Bull crew was celebrating the win, George Russell was disheartened.
Thus, Max Verstappen extended his support, hailing the quality of W15. In reflecting on the Canada GP, Max Verstappen acknowledged that Mercedes had the fastest car overall and understood why there might be some disappointment within their team. He mentioned that mistakes are easy to make under such high-pressure conditions. Verstappen shared that he had spoken to George Russell, who was feeling a bit upset with himself. He reassured Russell that pushing to the limit in racing sometimes leads to mistakes, but that’s simply part of the sport. The fans were happy with Verstappen’s approach and applauded the reigning world champion’s sportsmanship.
Perez To Serve Penalty As Red Bull Wanted To Safeguard Verstappen
Sergio Perez was handed over a three-grid place penalty for the upcoming Spanish GP. During the Canada race, Perez continued to drive a damaged RB20. As a result, the debris created dangerous racing conditions.
Thus, after the investigation, race Stewards came to th conclusion of handing over a penalty to Checo. During the Canada GP, Red Bull decided to instruct Sergio Perez to try to bring his car back to the pits after encountering an issue. They made this decision to avoid triggering a safety car, which could have jeopardized Max Verstappen’s lead. At that moment, Verstappen had a comfortable buffer of about three seconds ahead of the chasing pack. However, Red Bull wanted to prevent a third safety car restart, as it would have given Lando Norris and other competitors a chance to overtake Verstappen in the race’s final stages. This strategic move aimed to secure Verstappen’s position and maintain his lead.