F1 News: Verstappen admits he'd CRASH his car to avoid controversial team tactic

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Verstappen admits he'd CRASH his car to avoid controversial team tactic

The Dutchman had an emphatic response to a much-talked about car swap

Tyler Rowlinson

Friday 29 March 2024 01:00

Max Verstappen has given a firm warning to Red Bull in response to the situation surrounding Williams and Logan Sargeant.

During FP1 in Melbourne on Friday, Alex Albon crashed heavily at turn six, causing extensive damage to his chassis.

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With the part ‘damaged beyond repair’, Williams found themselves with no spare chassis for the weekend after a difficult winter period.

As a result, team principal James Vowles made the decision to withdraw Sargeant from the race and give his chassis to Albon, leaving the team with one car for the race.

Logan Sargeant was pulled from the Australian GP

Alex Albon was given his chassis after crashing in FP1

Verstappen: I would have been on the plane home

Speaking on the Williams car swap with De Telegraaf, the three-time champion affirmed that he would not have done the same as Sargeant and even claimed he would destroy his car if the situation happened to him.

“It sucks for Logan, of course,” he said.

Max Verstappen claimed he would not do the same as Sargeant

“From the team and from the performance aspect, I understand why they're doing it. But it's not nice. Whether I would have given up my car in such a case? Well no, in my position not.

“I would have been on the plane home by now. If that happened, I would have crushed my own car first, too. Then no one would have been able to drive.

“But again, in my current position, I don't have to worry that something like that would be asked of me. That seems logical to me."

Red Bull Williams Logan Sargeant Angela Cullen Marcus Armstrong