Ex-F1 Driver Calls Out Max Verstappen for ‘Meaningless’ Action That Put Red Bull at Risk

Rear wing drama has taken over the motorsport world by storm. It all began when the stewards summonsed Lewis Hamilton for having an illegal rear wing after the Brazilian GP qualifying. They disqualified the Mercedes driver and also fined Max Verstappen for touching the rear wing in the parc ferme. The Dutchman’s actions received mixed reactions from all over the F1 world.

Former F1 driver Sergey Sirotkin mentioned he does not understand why drivers check other drivers’ cars in the parc ferme.

Verstappen is not the first driver to touch his rival’s car in F1. Sebastian Vettel and even Lewis Hamilton have been caught checking other cars. But Max was fined 50,000 Euros for the action.

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Sirotkin gives his views on the Lewis Hamilton- Max Verstappen rear wing saga

As reported by Formule1, the former Williams driver mentioned that he never understood what drivers learn from checking other cars. The Russian driver drove for Williams in the 2018 season but took the reserve driver role for the 2019 and 2020 season for Renault.

“The weekend naturally started with the saga surrounding Hamilton’s rear wing on Friday and the Touché of Verstappen’s hand. I’ve never understood it that way, that hassle in parc fermé where drivers stand and look at other cars. Why do you have to sit in the car? What do you learn from that?” said Sirotkin.

“I understand that you are interested in the cockpit, in the functions on a handlebar, or what type of lever is used for the clutch. But that feeling, looking, walking around cars: no, I don’t understand that.” 

“An experienced engineer may see something, but otherwise, it is meaningless. Teams have photographers taking pictures from certain angles that are more helpful than what Max could see now.” said the Russian driver, perplexed by Max’s actions.

The controversy surrounded the action of the whole weekend with multiple storylines. Both drivers gave their cheeky remarks on their respective punishments for their infringements. It made the entire weekend more dramatic and added another chapter to an already intense championship battle.

Hamilton won the race despite his disqualification, as he had the fastest car throughout the weekend. Verstappen finished second but holds the championship lead with 3 races to go.

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