Max Verstappen is heavily criticized despite being one of the most successful F1 racers in the sport’s history. Whether it’s for his on-track performance or off-track shenanigans, the Dutchman finds himself in the firing line. The triple champion had a terrible outing in Hungary, as he failed to win the race again. On top of that, the race could not climb the podium, as the McLaren-Mercedes duo was a touch faster.
However, the 26-year-old Ducth lashed out at his team after a frustrating day, and everyone heard his radio chimes. As a result, he was heavily criticized for using inappropriate language. Moreover, his frustration was linked with late-night sim racing, which resulted in a lack of sleep. At the same time, the RBR management has clarified all the rumors and defended their star racer.
Did Late-Night Sim Racing ImpactMax Verstappen’s Performance?
Following the Hungary GP, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko and team principal Christian Horner addressed the rumors surrounding Max Verstappen’s performance being affected by late-night sim racing. The senior RBR advisor dismissed the claims, pointing out that Verstappen had stayed up even later in Imola but still managed to win the race. Further, he emphasized that Verstappen has a different rhythm than others, and his late bedtime is unusual for him. Moreover, Marko added that the triple champion did not even wake up at 10 o’clock in Zandvoort despite helicopters flying over his motorhome, indicating that he got his usual amount of sleep.
On the other hand, Christian Horner also downplayed the speculation, asserting that people often conclude without understanding the whole picture. He emphasized that Verstappen knows what is required to drive a Grand Prix car, win races, and be a world champion. Horner reiterated that the team trusts Verstappen’s judgment regarding his sleep and preparation. He assured that any discussions on improving performance are kept within the team and not conducted through the media.
Team Red Bull Explains The Horrendous Hungaroring Run
Helmut Marko suggested that it was wise to let the situation settle before addressing the matter within the team. He proposed postponing discussions to ensure a more thoughtful and thorough review. According to Marko, allowing time between individual meetings would lead to better outcomes.
Moreover, Christian Horner clarified that recent comments about the race were not directed at Verstappen but rather at other competitors who were vocal about penalties. He noted that some teams might hope for penalties for their rivals as the stewards monitor radio communications. Despite the challenges, Horner emphasized that the team, which has worked together for eight years, acknowledges areas for improvement and will address these issues internally. He affirmed that the team is focused on enhancing performance and will have any necessary discussions behind closed doors.
