Austria, F1, lap 64: the battle between Verstappen e Norris It ended in the worst possible way. It was inevitable that it would happen and it promptly happened. From Miami the two are protagonists of exciting duels in which systematic cunning and aggression of the three-time world champion got the better of it. This despite the RB20 has appeared at times inferior in the past Grand Prix. The exponential growth of the McLaren created the conditions for a new rivalry that projected the young British driver as the main opponent of Max.
The talented driver from across the Channel is probably in a position that he himself did not think he could reach already in this championship. Precisely for this reason the last races won by Verstappen have deeply wounded the soul of Lando who made no secret of the fact that he was unable to bring home success despite having the means at his disposal to achieve the goal. Already in the F1 Sprint yet another hand-to-hand fight with his (former?) Dutch friend saw him succumb: Not only against the three-time world champion but also in the internal duel with Oscar Plates.
The race of F1 Sunday, in the intentions Norris It was supposed to be an opportunity to prove that he could carry the McLaren where it could and should be. However, the Red Bull Ring it proved to be a track undoubtedly more favourable to the latest single-seater designed by Adrian Newey e Verstappen was on its way to a quiet success with a good margin on Lando. Then, out of nowhere, the imponderable event presented itself in the form of difficulties in fixing the left rear tire, in the last pit-stop of the talent of Hasselt.
A godsend for all his rivals who put him back in the running for success McLaren number 4. After numerous overtaking attempts in turn three which were never finalized, seven laps from the end the patatrac. The single-seater of Verstappen was struck by the McLaren Of Norris, who was taken aback by the Dutch driver’s slight movement to the left. Contact which cost the driver an additional stop Netherlands and the sad retreat for Lando.
F1, Verstappen covered in useless and tedious unnecessary moralisms
That the world champion of F1 he was an aggressive driver who often resorted to maneuvers borderline does not make Dutch a kind of killer dropped into the cockpit of an F1 single-seater. Yesterday we saw the difference between those who try to win in any way and those who have never fought for the title in the top motorsport category. And as if many couldn’t wait to place all the blame on the Dutch driver, losing sight of the overall situation. The prevailing moralism that erupted after 5pm yesterday is honestly unbearable, at least as far as I’m concerned.
We are talking about a driver who has not committed a reaction foul, but who has always sold his life dearly, especially when the vehicle did not accommodate his enormous talent. Yesterday, probably Norris he understood what was clear to Charles Leclerc right in Austria In the 2019 after a rough duel Max Verstappen. “From today I understood how I should behave” the Monegasque driver said that in the following English Grand Prix he was the protagonist of an epic duel, wheel to wheel, repeated and without holds barred, with the current leader of the world ranking.
Let’s be clear, the writing is not intended to justify incorrect and disloyal behavior if there had been any, but in life you have to be realistic. In F1 it’s one thing to engage in a duel with Valtteri Bottas (even when he was driving the best single-seater of the lot, ed.) it’s a very different story to deal with Max Verstappen. Like it or not, his way of racing is considered legitimate, in most cases, by the commissioners. Looking back, are there any unblemished champions? The undersigned has appreciated very few of them.
Senna, idol of the crowds and absolute champion premeditated the ramming of Prost in that of Suzuka 1990without any fear towards his safety and that of his rival. Michael Schumacher on several occasions he was the protagonist of unbecoming maneuvers, yet he was and will remain a legendary figure in the category. Some might dispute this comparison by alluding to different regulations. But what body of legislation can modify the behavioral traits of champions who are always the same, both inside and outside the cockpit?
From Michael it was said that he also hated losing a soccer match with the mechanics. Honestly yesterday’s attack towards Max is largely instrumental, the result of the frustration of those who cannot beat him even with the superior means. It is an attack on the Dutch character who is not the best in empathy and is disliked for his often arrogant attitude. Perhaps all the fuss yesterday is only the expression of the need to create a rivalry that can never exist, because deep down it is clear to everyone that between Verstappen e Norris (at the moment) there is no story.
Author and graphics: Roberto Cecere – @robertofunoat
