Max Verstappen Clarifies His Radio Rant Against Lance Stroll in Portimao

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has accepted the fact that he used questionable language on the team radio, following a collision with Lance Stroll last week.

“First of all, I never wanted to offend anyone, that’s never what I wanted,” said Verstappen, at the press conference in Italy.

The incident in question took place during the second practice session, ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Verstappen tangled with Stroll, who had just completed a flying lap while Max had just begun his. At turn 1, Stroll turned into the Dutchman, thus enraging Verstappen, who shot back with some controversial swear words such as r****d and m****L on the radio.

The Red Bull ace has a history of being hotheaded and under the pressure of racing, Verstappen admitted he had let his tongue get too loose.

He said, “It happened in the heat of the moment. I don’t say the words I chose were the right ones, I also know they are not correct. But once again, I never meant to offend anyone with that.

“I was swearing at Lance. But then of course I saw him straight away after. That’s what racing drivers are as well.  We can be angry at each other. But within five minutes when we talk to each other and look each other in the eye, then it’s forgotten.”

“I cannot change it. But of course you learn from it and will do better.”

Stroll incident not the first time Max Verstappen lost his head over a Racing Point driver

The angry young Dutchman was also involved in a fight with current Renault driver Esteban Ocon.

The incident took place at the Brazilian Grand Prix 2018. Verstappen who was leading the race had just lapped Ocon. Once going behind, an interesting urge awoke in the Frenchman who aggressively tried to unlap himself on lap 44.

However, all he managed to do was go into the back of Max and spin him off the track. As a result, Verstappen lost the race and as you’d expect, he wasn’t best pleased.

After firing some verbal barbs on the radio, things got worse. Verstappen confronted Ocon in the paddock and a fight began. The severity of the issue led the FIA to get involved. They dished out a punishment of 2 days of community service for the Dutchman.

The long period of animosity between the two ended late last year. At the photoshoot for the 2020 season, the duo were seen shaking hands and apologizing, thus ending their feud.

Looking forward to the next race, Verstappen would hope the only reason for him being in the limelight would be his result and not any unnecessary controversy.