Ruined race on the final in Barcelona: wrong tire change and duels with Leclerc and Russell costing dearly. Remedied 10 seconds of penalty and three points on the license, reaching 11 on 12 available
The flags of Australia, England and Holland were already ready on the podium of the Spanish GP. It is difficult to believe that something could have changed the order of a race not exactly among the most exciting of recent times. Or at least so it seemed, given that on Giro 55 the innocent Andrea Kimi Antonelli ended up on gravel and the Safety Car entered the track. Of course, not even the neutralization of the race was enough to stop the 1-2 McLaren, but everything happened behind the duo.
The clash with Leclerc
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With about ten laps still available, all the head drivers have chosen to stop to mount new tires. The almost obvious choice was the red rubber, the softest. But not for everyone: Max Verstappen, author of an unusual three stops with his Red Bull, was forced to mount hard tires, the only new ones left. “I had no alternatives, even if with the hindsight it was better to stay on the track – the Dutch will then explain after the race – I really felt a duck with a target on me”. Difficult to blame him, given that the restart holding the third position was truly an impossible mission: at the last corner he loses control of the car, “I don’t know how I kept it”, and Leclerc alongside him. The two are very close, too much, and suddenly they touch: “He moved to the left suddenly, he could end up in a bad accident”, Max complains. “We moved together, if this cannot be done then we are badly”. But the beauty is yet to come.
Bis with Russell and penalty
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Yes, because once passed by Leclerc, Verstappen has become easy also for Russell. Between the two, you know, good blood flows does not flow and as soon as they reach a curve one both refuse to raise their foot and come to contact. The Dutchman holds the fourth position and is a fury via radio, “they are trying to throw me out”. From the box they ask him to return the position. “Max, you can’t do this, let it go.” He runs a ride later, but not even the time to let the Mercedes parade that in braking proves again the overtaking with an impossible maneuver. Result? New contact with Russell and penalty of ten seconds.
Max at risk of disqualification
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“He certainly did it on purpose – Russell will explain after the race – I saw him do it several times on video games but I confess that it is the first time that happens in Formula One. Maybe in Formula E. A real shame for the guys who dream of doing the pilots and see some things. It is an unacceptable maneuver. We are lucky that the cars today are so sure, but we should not take it for granted. head”. Obviously, Verstappen’s reply could not be missing: “If he still complains so I think that next time I will bring him handkerchiefs …”, he explains to journalists, refusing to deepen further. But that’s not all. In addition to the penalty, the commissioners have inflicted three points on the Driving license to the Dutchman, who reaches 11 out of 12 altitude available. Translated: Attention Max, the next will be disqualified.
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