The Furrent Dutch of the past has given way to a more reflective one. Even capable of consolating Kimi who had just sent him out. Will it be the fresh paternity that sweetened him?
“We hope to survive the first three curves.” Almost if the Red Bull team, Christian Horner, felt that that departure of Verstappen in Austria from the seventh box on the grid would not have brought anything good. And so it was. Max, accustomed since 2021 to always shoot in front of everyone in what he now considers as his second home GP, this time has been centered by Antonelli’s Mercedes in Curva Tre, closing his race in advance and remedying a terrible zero for his hopes to fight for the fifth title. In short, the perfect ingredients for a outburst to the “mad max” … but not this time.
Kimi is wrong, Max surprises
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Yes, because in Austria the furious Dutchman we were used to gave way to a quiet Verstappen, almost understanding against those who, Antonelli, had just ruined the race. The new mature (Kimi) who tests the champion, who as soon as he got out of the car approached the Bolognese and took it under his arms, listening to excuses and reasons as he probably never happened before. “I knew very well that he had been the one who struck me – Max will reveal after the accident – but I only asked him what had happened. They are things that happen to everyone during his career and Kimi is a great talent, so that’s okay”. That becoming dad for the first time did he do it well?
Has it changed?
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Probably yes, given that Verstappen is not the type of curtains to favor of the room and while accompanying Antonelli on foot to the pits he even tried to console him. Stuff not to believe for those who, only two years ago, had promised Russell to throw it off the track after a contact in Baku and in 2018 he had even arrived in his hands with Esteban Ocon. And Kimi? He has always been a good boy, and the interview ring was unable to apologize: “I am really sorry, I ruined the team to the team and also in Max, it’s just my fault”. With him the commissioners were decidedly less indulgent than Verstappen, given that in Silverstone – where you will run next weekend – he will have to serve three penalties on the grid. But that’s right.
Red Bull has a problem
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Now, however, Red Bull has more than one problem. Apart from the statistical issues-in Austria the Horner & Co team closed the strip of consecutive points of points at 77 GP (only 4 were missing to reach the primacy of Ferrari)-having Verstappen outside the world struggle is bad news for the Anglo-Austrian team. The Dutchman, slipped less than 61 by the Leader of the Piastri ranking, was categorical: “I don’t think about the title”. And to the future? He thinks about that, all right. Verstappen has more than a clause to get rid of early contract with Red Bull (expiring in 2028) and knows that there would be who would do follies to have it (ask Wolff and Stroll Sr.). Then there is that temptation of the GT championships – where he has even has one of his teams – who has been teased for some time. And with a Red Bull who struggles to get out of his own shadows, that of changing air is likely to be more than a temptation.
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