Verstappen accepts FIA burnout clampdown despite feeling it was "funny and safe"
Verstappen accepts FIA burnout clampdown despite feeling it was "funny and safe"
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has heeded the warning issued by the FIA after performing a burnout to celebrate his Styrian Grand Prix triumph on Sunday that he felt at the time was "funny and safe".
FIA race director Michael Masi stated after the race such a move "would not be tolerated in future" given the fact it endangers other cars still racing to the line.
Speaking for the first time after the incident, the Dutch driver initially joked he "will try to do a donut next time".
Verstappen, however, accepts the FIA's concerns. He added: “I understand of course about safety but I looked in my mirrors, went all the way to the right and just did a burnout.
“I won’t do it again, but at the time I thought it was really funny and safe, but of course I understand they [the FIA] don’t want to see this happening again, which is fine for me.”
Verstappen escaped without a fine or punishment, unlike some other drivers whose victory celebrations have been punished in the past, leading to criticism of the FIA from some for the stifling of celebrations.
Asked if a more open approach is required, Verstappen joked: “Yeah, bungi jumping, cage fighting, back-flips with the car.
"The FIA likes that you think, or not? Maybe we can improve it. Maybe we get some bonus points as well, that would be great!”
Alonso backs Verstappen celebration
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was one of several drivers that supported Verstappen’s celebration, citing post-race burnouts and donuts as a fan favourite and calling for the FIA to focus on ‘more important’ rulings.
Alonso added: ”This burnout, I think it was nice to watch. Even the donuts, in Abu Dhabi, I think the fans like that and you see a lot of videos of those moments on social media and so on.
“I think the FIA should police more the track limits. [Last weekend] I was the only one making a move into turn one at the start and the two cars that I overtook missed turn one and they exited in front of me. No warnings on that but there is for the burnout.”
Nicholas Latifi was the first driver to come upon Verstappen as he performed the burnout but the Williams driver managed to keep clear, moving far to the left to avoid a potential incident.
Latifi experienced a similar situation in 2015 when racing in Formula Renault 3.5 at the same track, crashing into Roberto Merhi who had slowed considerably as the Canadian raced Tom Dillmann to the line for fifth.
Latifi was pleased with the FIA’s clampdown and said: “Obviously, when I went over the finish line I saw Max pulling to the inside, so I just made sure to stay as far to the left as possible.
“I guess in general it’s not the best thing to really, really slow down that much. I mean, in that situation there were no cars directly behind him that were racing. That wasn’t the situation all those years ago.
“I was racing with another car quite close and as a result, I had my eyes in my mirrors and was not expecting a car to be stopped right in front of me on the grid. It can end very badly, as we saw back in 2015.
“There needs to be a bit of a compromise in that sense. Obviously, [FIA race director] Michael [Masi] thought it was dangerous so I don’t think other cars will be doing that in future. It is probably best not to slow down that much.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Top manufacturer takes HUGE step towards F1 return
- 1 hour ago
McLaren star sets staggering new F1 RECORD
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton relationship 'ENDS' as F1 legend looks for celebrity date
- 3 hours ago
F1 team boss lends support to Alonso amid HUGE backlash
- Today 10:57
Mercedes driver reveals unique BENEFIT to being Verstappen’s team-mate
- Today 09:57
Wolff WARNS Hamilton about Ferrari competitiveness
- Today 09:12
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
- GP JAPAN 5 - 7 Apr
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
Related news
Norris reveals CHEEKY Alonso text after Austrian Grand Prix chaos
Newey reveals Red Bull could not stop Verstappen from taking POINTLESS risk
Russell insists Hamilton is still STRUGGLING with W14
How Austria track limits SHAMBLES shows FIA's flaws
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