David Croft Avenges Humiliation by Max Verstappen With Devious Retort at Abu Dhabi GP

A rather interesting drama unfolded during the FP2 session at the Abu Dhabi GP. It was part of the verbal clash between Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft and the 3-time world champion Max Verstappen. The tension between the two had been brewing since an earlier exchange in the drivers’ press conference on Thursday when the Dutchman candidly shut down a question from Croft. However, Croft came back at the 26-year-old with a snide remark on Friday’s session.

The drama between the two began earlier in the week during the drivers’ press conference. Croft asked Max Verstappen a hypothetical question where Lewis Hamilton approached Red Bull and they became teammates only to be immediately shut down by the triple world champion.

David Croft fired shots at Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi GP Free Practice session

In the build-up to the Abu Dhabi GP, rumors circulated about Lewis Hamilton exploring options beyond Mercedes. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, disclosed that Hamilton’s camp had indeed approached them. The tension escalated during the drivers’ press conference in Abu Dhabi when David Croft asked Max Verstappen about the hypothetical scenario.

“Max, congratulations on another championship year. But let’s delve into a parallel universe,” began Croft. “the one where Lewis Hamilton approaches Red Bull and Christian Horner says yes, we’re interested in you. You said that Lewis and his people reached out to Red Bull about whether there was any interest in driving. Checo’s got a contract next year. But [let’s] say he’d have said yes, how would you have welcomed that? What do you think would have happened? And would you like to race against Lewis Hamilton as a teammate in the future?”

However, the Red Bull man snapped back at Croft saying, “No, because it’s not happening. So there’s no point to make up stories if it’s not happening.”

The drama unraveled during the FP2 session in Abu Dhabi when Max Verstappen found himself frustrated with Alex Albon, who daringly cut in front of him in the pit lane. This frustration led to a complaint from the Dutchman and a brilliant snide retort from David Croft.

As the pit lane queue formed after a red flag, Verstappen voiced his displeasure with Williams drivers for not waiting their turn. “Ah yeah, lovely, well done there,” Max complained sarcastically before he asked his race engineer: “Can you please report that?”

This prompted a quick-witted response from Croft, “Says the man who literally stopped for 12 seconds at the end of the pit lane in Singapore! Come on, Max. ‘Can you please report that’. It’s a practice session!“

READ MORE: Andrea Stella Joins Forces With Max Verstappen & Christian Horner to Oppose F1’s “Brutal” Practices

After the session, Max Verstappen went on to explain the incident that left him fuming during the practice session.

Max Verstappen hits back strongly at the FP2 pit lane shenanigans

The shortened Free Practice session, marked by two red flags, intensified the competition for track time. In the midst of it all, the Dutchman got involved in the pit-lane tussle with Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly.

“When exiting the pit lane they had to move. They were all going slowly and I had to go to the track because I had little time. They kept getting in the way and once I tried to pass they tried to push me against the wall. And that’s clearly not good,” Max Verstappen explained after the session according to Formula Passion.

The incident unfolded after the resumption of FP2 following red flags caused by incidents involving Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg. Eager to make the most of the limited track time, Max Verstappen attempted to overtake Hamilton and Gasly on the pit exit. However, the duo refused to yield, forcing the 26-year-old Dutch driver to lift off to avoid potential contact with the walls at the pit-lane exit.

WATCH THIS STORY | What was the Sky Sports F1 Boycott by Max Verstappen & Red Bull?

Do you think Max was a bit over the line in his complaints during the practice session? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.