It was a bittersweet end of the weekend for Max Verstappen in Baku after failing to see the checkered flag despite leading over 75% of the race. The Dutchman was visibly upset after the crash and kicked the stranded Red Bull with his foot before escorting off the track.
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But then there was another massive turnaround about the already eventful race. Who would have thought that Lewis Hamilton of all people would end up making a mistake that cost him not only a podium but also a race?
Formula 1 F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – Red Bulls Max Verstappen goes over REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov after falling out of the racing pool. back in the box
One would guess that the Hamilton incident has come to appreciate Verstappen as he retains the lead in the drivers’ championship despite suffering his first DNF of the season.
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However, the Dutchman is still desperate because he just missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to extend the championship lead against his rival.
What did Max Verstappen say?
After the dramatic Baku race, Verstappen expressed frustration by saying that for what it had to offer in the race, he could hate the sport.
“Of course it’s frustrating and very disappointing. So close to the finish line to give up with a blown tire. So, yeah, it’s a huge shame. Sometimes you can hate the sport for a few hours and I’m fine again, ”he said during the interview after the race.
A Verstappen race win was written on the streets of Baku considering that its title rival was pretty much behind eventual race winner Sergio Perez.
But then the Dutchman unexpectedly suffered tire damage while racing at over 270 km / h. Verstappen had no chance of regaining control of the car when it spun against the guardrails and spilled a huge amount of debris on the track.
DIVE DEEPER
No guarantees in sport: Verstappen
Verstappen managed to embrace the painful side of F1 in Baku on Sunday. But despite the missed race win, Verstappen had the feeling that there are no guarantees in a race until you see the checkered flag.
“To be honest, it has been a great day up to that point; The car was on fire, ”he said. I just put everything I had to do behind me.
“I was comfortably in the lead. And yes, it would have been an easy win, but there are no guarantees in this sport. And it’s a shame we missed this opportunity to widen the gap. “
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The good news for Verstappen is that the top position in the drivers’ standings remains unchanged. Reason? Hamilton also ended the race rather disappointingly.
The Briton braked too late after the second standing start in Turn 1 and forced him to drive straight into the run-off zone. And when he turned his car back on the track, the entire pack was ahead.
This means that Verstappen retains his lead in the standings for the second race weekend in a row. But can Mercedes end the Dutchman’s dominance on the coming race weekend in France?
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View history: Mad Max: Verstappen’s furthest rants on Team Radio
The post Max Verstappen admits to hating F1 at times after Rot denied F1 Baku victory first appeared on monter-une-startup.
