F1 pundit makes HUGE Verstappen claim after underrated Spanish GP moment
F1 pundit makes HUGE Verstappen claim after underrated Spanish GP moment
Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Spanish Grand Prix but James Hinchcliffe was more impressed by an underrated moment of brilliance from the world champion.
The Red Bull star had a track limits warning hanging over his head as the race neared its conclusion and was told by his engineer to not risk a penalty for the sake of the fastest lap bonus point.
But Verstappen being Verstappen took no notice of it, smashing in a sublime lap time and ensuring he claimed his third Grand Slam in F1.
Hinchcliffe was amazed at Verstappen's ability to suddenly find several tenths of a second from one lap to the next at such a late stage in the race.
READ MORE: Brundle gives Red Bull CRUMBLE verdict after another high-profile exit
Racing greatness
"I hate to keep beating a dead horse on this one, but like last week, it’s not even Verstappen’s race specifically I want to talk about," former IndyCar racer Hinchcliffe wrote in his F1 column. "It’s a particular moment in the race that deserves a mention here.
"Of course, a win for the two-time reigning champ seemed an inevitability, but he was hardly out for a Sunday cruise.
"Nearing the end of the Grand Prix, Verstappen got on the radio and inquired about fastest lap. At the time, Perez held it having pitted late in the race for softs and having the benefit of DRS on the lap he did it.
"It was some seven-tenths ahead of Verstappen’s best. It was implied over the radio that there was no need to push for it given the stage of the race and the fact that one more track limit violation would result in a penalty.
"Ignoring the fact that a track limits penalty would’ve had no effect on the result given his lead over Hamilton, he proceeded to fire off a lap three-tenths quicker than the fastest lap of Perez. On older tires. Without DRS.
"Verstappen’s ability to summon a seemingly endless supply of lap time when required (or, in this case, desired may be a more fitting term) is truly astonishing. It hasn’t been hard to predict the winner lately, but I think it’s important to acknowledge that we’re witnessing racing greatness at its prime."
READ MORE: Jos Verstappen: His life in F1 and how he drove Max to greatness
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint 2024 results: Hamilton gets best result of year as Ferraris CLASH
- 54 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton dealt China blow after major FIA decision as Ricciardo given huge Horner warning - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 team unveil star-studded lineup in China
- Yesterday 23:12
F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
- Yesterday 21:57
Related news
Wolff 'p*****' by Verstappen error as star makes Mercedes debut
Hamilton gains HUGE win over Verstappen at unusual venue
F1 champion questions ‘value’ of Verstappen’s titles
Former F1 team manager reveals moment he KNEW Verstappen was 'special one'
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