Max regarding Austin: “I had a super race”

Published on 23 October 2017 by Mike Motilall

After the two solid races in Malaysia and Japan, Max Verstappen once again showcased, with a great catch-up race in the land of endless possibilities, how impressive his talent truly is. Starting from sixteenth, Max progressed all the way to P5 in no time.

In the closing stages the podium was beckoning and with a brilliant move, the rapid Dutchman overtook Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari in a, what seemed to be, impossible corner on the track. His joy however was short lived, because even before he was able to step on the podium, he was stripped of his podium finish by a highly controversial five second time penalty.

A decision that would unleash a storm of criticism from the entire world of motorsports towards the stewards of the race. Even from the competitors, the Red Bull Racing-youngster received support. Mercedes advisor Niki Lauda was one of the many to vent his dismay: “This decision is the worst I’ve ever seen, he did nothing wrong. We’re racing drivers, we’re not on a normal road. It’s ridiculous to destroy the sport with this kind of decisions.”

After the race, father Jos also had a few things to say. He did this during a review of the events in Texas by commenting on the phone. “If it is true that Race Director Charlie Whiting was responsible for this, he should be fired at once from Formula 1. Do they want to race or just slot in one after the other”, is what Jos questions. “The only one racing is Max, and that is what people want to see. It is a ridiculous decision.”

On Monday evening, one day after the race, Max himself looks back, during Ziggo Sport’s Peptalk, at the race in Austin: “I haven’t seen the video’s yet and I’m also not angry. It’s a pity you’re not on the podium, but it’s about the decision which was not correct. But we did have a super race and I am of course very happy with that. Yesterday I was of course very angry and it wouldn’t have been normal if I hadn't been.”

On his move on Raikkonen, Max says: “Coming out of the corner, I had a bit more grip and on the outside it’s not possible to pass, so I thought we’ll do it on the inside. We were very close, so I also had to go more on the inside but there are no track limits. I really never expected to get a penalty for this, because the whole weekend you were able to drive anywhere outside of the track limits.”

“I was also racing Bottas and he goes wide on the outside and then rejoins in front of me. And nothing is said of that. The stewards never asked me anything and the decision had already been taken, so you cannot change anything about it.”

Regarding the question if this is his sweetest overtake in the Formula 1, Max replies: “No it isn’t, but it was on a remarkable spot. Starting from the back and then two corners before the finish to take third is of course pretty neat.”

His reaction after the race is briefly talked about and he is asked if he has ever spoken with the steward: “I have spoken with him on and off, but it doesn’t make any difference now. In the heat of the moment emotions run wild and then you say things you normally wouldn’t say. It is never my intention to hurt others, and unfortunately at that moment my emotions got the better of me.”

In conclusion, Max is looking ahead at the race in Mexico: “I just had a super race, but didn’t make it to the podium. The last three races I think we did have the fastest car. In Mexico, there are no penalties and we are able to start from the front, so let’s wait and see.”