Nervous start
The Hungarian GP weekend started in a decidedly ‘hot’ way for Max Verstappen, who, within the first 12 minutes of FP1, immediately found a way to be the protagonist of a couple of controversial episodes. The first saw him as a protagonist alongside his former Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz; Verstappen, in fact, during one of his first fast laps of the session, found himself in traffic with the Spanish Williams driver and did not appreciate it.
Read more The new Aston Martin breaks down immediately: Stroll’s left rear suspension gives way
The four-time world champion immediately spoke on the radio, thundering against the #55 Madrid driver: “These guys are incredible – said Verstappen, speaking with his race engineer Giampiero Lambiase – that was really dangerous, as if he had pressed the brake on purpose“. Verstappen then, after overtaking Sainz on track, subsequently slowed down in front of the former Ferrari driver, as a ‘revenge’. The entire episode ended up under the scrutiny of the stewards, who summoned both Verstappen and Sainz to discuss the incident at the end of the session.
Read more Hungary Updates: Ferrari with the new Macarena, Mercedes with a specific rear wing
The ‘usual’ anger against the team
But Verstappen did not fail – as happens almost every free practice session now – to express his displeasure towards his own team. Shortly after the episode with Sainz, in fact, the Dutchman pointed the finger at his RB22, expressing several complaints via radio: “The downshifts are horrendous and the car is bouncing like crazy – thundered the four-time world champion – I have really terrible bouncing on the front axle, they are really bad”. Not exactly the start of dreams in a weekend where Red Bull – on paper – should be able to play some interesting chances at least to fight for podium positions.
Read more The FIA admits the error to the drivers: Leclerc should have been penalized by 5″ at Spa
