Verstappen channels Vettel instinct in 'overtake of the year'
Verstappen channels Vettel instinct in 'overtake of the year'
Max Verstappen once again grabbed the headlines with an audacious move that had grabbed much attention during a chaotic second practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
With FP2 in Abu Dhabi having been plagued by two red flags after crashes from Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg, the drivers were keen to get back out on track to ensure they got a bit of running before the session ended.
As the cars tried to build up a gap while exiting the pit lane to get some clean air, one driver wasn’t willing to wait around.
Max Verstappen squeezed around George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly inside the pit-lane tunnel as he looked to get on with the session, instead of being stuck behind his rivals.
“Verstappen is just crossing on the lines to pass,” Russell complained during the incident.
READ MORE: Hulkenberg collision brings out second red flag in CHAOTIC Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice
“I’m getting blocked,” Verstappen claimed, as he sought to justify his actions over the team radio.
Speaking to the media after the race, Verstappen offered a strong defence of his actions, accusing the others of "driving slowly."
"They have to get out of the way," Verstappen claimed. "I just wanted to get out there because we didn't have much time."
"They keep driving in the middle and when I try to pass them they cut me off."
The incident sparked memories of Sebastian Vettel’s double overtake in the pit lane at the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix, passing Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz who were slow on entrance to the pit-lane.
Vettel’s actions led some to complain about his behaviour but the German defended his move, stating it was legal under the rule book.
According to the handbook, the pit lane is not part of the track, so overtaking over the white line and, in Vettel’s case, under a safety car was perfectly legal.
The dicey moment caused a debate during and after the session among the Sky Sports pundits over whether Verstappen’s actions were acceptable.
“I think the stewards are going to have a look at this,” Croft said initially. “It’s just silly that. I don’t see the need for it.”
Former F1 world champion Damon Hill disagreed post-session, joking that it was the “overtake of the year.”
“I mean, when there was no room for error at all. It was very close racing.”
“Technically, he’s not done anything wrong but it’s just difficult. Max is just impatient and proving a point. Did he desperately need to get ahead?” presenter Simon Lazenby said.
Racing driver and pundit Naomi Schiff offered her assessment of the situation, discussing the steps the FIA have taken to address the way drivers have behaved in the pit lane.
“Post-Mexico, they did bring in this rule that the drivers should be on the left-hand side, which some of them were not in that case there. We saw it in Brazil when the when the thunder and the rain came out, you want to be out there, especially when you've got such a limited runtime,” Schiff explained.
“Clearly, Max wanted to be out there more than some of the others, impatiently. But we've seen this happen before and I wonder why drivers are still not keeping to the right. I wonder if, again here, when you have the pit-lane limit ending before the tunnel, drivers are able to continue and go forward but that pit-lane is still much longer. It's quite narrow, maybe a topic of conversation, for the drivers’ briefing,” she continued.
READ MORE: F1 team announces departure with leaving message
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 40 minutes ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 1 hour ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- 2 hours ago
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- 3 hours ago
Hamilton F1 rival makes SURPRISE claim about Ferrari move
- Today 16:57
Schumacher names shock F1 star to replace Hulkenberg at Haas
- Today 15:57
Related news
F1 track to test stunning new driver format
Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage
Verstappen's F1 break includes one major omission
Marko mourns death of key Red Bull figure after championship win
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860