BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – JULY 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, and Oracle Red Bull Racing and his father Jos Verstappen walk in the Paddock during the previews of the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on July 28, 2022 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The father of Dutch driver Jos, who will not be present at the Saturday race in Jeddah, caused controversy in Bahrain last week by stating that the team was at risk of collapse if Christian Horner remained in control.
Verstappen has not publicly addressed the controversial comments, although he publicly wished his father a happy 52nd birthday on social media on Monday. Media reports suggest that Horner was not invited to the birthday dinner in Dubai.
Verstappen, 26, also refrained from expressing unwavering support for his troubled boss after Horner, 50, was recently cleared of alleged misconduct towards a staff member.
A meeting was held in Dubai on Monday between the management team and a representative of Verstappen’s father to address any outstanding issues. Verstappen’s father is scheduled to participate in a regional car rally in Belgium this weekend.
On the track, Verstappen aims to continue his strong start to the season by securing victory at the illuminated Corniche track, where he emerged victorious in 2022 before his teammate Sergio Perez claimed victory last year.
“It’s a completely different track, with a higher number of high-speed corners,” commented Verstappen after his win in Bahrain, where he secured pole position, the fastest lap, and led every lap.
“The asphalt, of course, is completely different from what we have here, resulting in less tire degradation. This will probably benefit other teams as well, compared to us,” added Verstappen.
Jeddah’s smooth surface is the second longest on the racing calendar and also allows for some of the highest speeds after Monza, in Italy.
The night race with lighting is scheduled for a day earlier than usual to accommodate Ramadan, which begins on Sunday evening.
Perez emerged victorious in the previous season’s race, starting from pole position, while Verstappen impressively climbed from 15th to second place after experiencing a transmission shaft failure during qualifying.
In Jeddah, Azerbaijan, Perez also triumphed, along with Carlos Sainz of Ferrari in Singapore, making these the only two races out of the 22 on the calendar where Verstappen did not secure a victory last year.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes will be returning to the venue where he last tasted success in December 2021, when Saudi Arabia hosted its inaugural race.
However, Hamilton’s performance in Bahrain was lackluster, finishing in seventh place, while his teammate George Russell managed a fifth place due to a miscalculation in Mercedes team cooling. They are optimistic that the high-speed Jeddah circuit will present a different challenge and opportunity for improvement.
Team boss Toto Wolff expressed his desire to progress immediately, emphasizing the importance of gaining more knowledge and experience with the new car on a circuit that differs significantly from Bahrain. Their goal is to have a more consistent weekend and gain a better understanding of their performance compared to other teams on the grid.
Despite facing brake issues with Charles Leclerc’s car, Ferrari, the team closest to Red Bull in Bahrain, is expected to be competitive.
Last year, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finished third in the race after a penalty was overturned, resulting in controversies and ongoing discussions within the governing body, FIA, about alleged interference by president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Additionally, the upcoming race weekend marks the beginning of the exclusive Formula 1 Women’s Academy season and the introduction of the new Formula 1 safety car, the Aston Martin Vantage.
The safety car was used in all three previous races held in Jeddah, with the 2021 race being interrupted twice due to red flags. (Reported by Alan Baldwin)
© 2024
Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen claimed an impressive victory at this Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix. Verstappen, from the Red Bull Racing team, led the race from start to finish, showcasing his exceptional skills on the narrow streets of the principality. With this win, Verstappen extended his lead in the world championship standings.
The race in Monaco was filled with excitement and breathtaking moments. Verstappen started on pole position and maintained the lead throughout the race, withstanding pressure from his competitors. His flawless performance in the tight corners and his ability to control the race pace secured the victory.
Behind Verstappen, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished in second place. The British driver fought hard to catch Verstappen but was unable to overtake him. Nonetheless, Hamilton displayed his expertise on the streets of Monaco, claiming a valuable second place.
In third place, we had Sergio Perez, also from Red Bull Racing. The Mexican driver had a consistent race, staying close to the leaders throughout the entire race. His solid performance led him to the podium, securing important points for the team.
Another highlight of the race was Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari. The Monegasque driver, racing at home, had an excellent start and even reached the second position. Unfortunately, a car problem forced him to abandon the race, leaving local fans disappointed.
Overall, the Monaco Grand Prix was an exciting race that showcased the talent and skill of Formula 1 drivers. Max Verstappen once again proved to be a formidable competitor, solidifying his position as the championship leader. Now, fans eagerly await the next race, hoping for more thrilling moments on the track.
