“Focus On Your Life”: Kelly Piquet Sends Out Nuanced Message to the Trolls While Max Verstappen Lashes Out at Toxic Fans From Abu Dhabi

Despite having an unforgettable season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull had an afternoon to forget in Brazil last Sunday. The world champion and constructors champions were humbled by the pair of Mercedes and Ferrari drivers. Moreover, the drama between Max and Checo in the final lap only made things worse for RBR boss Christian Horner.

The Dutch Lion ignored the team’s orders to give up his place to Checo, who was running behind him. The Mexican driver is in the running to finish P2 in the driver’s standing. However, after Verstappen’s little act, Checo is tied with Charles Leclerc on points. Verstappen finished the race P6 whereas Perez finished just behind him.

Max’s decision to not be a team player caused massive outrage amongst the fans. Perez’s radio comments about the Dutchman were visibly cold and frustrating. Fans then started calling out Max and even attacked his family members with online abuse.

Verstappen called out the internet trollers in Thursday’s press conference between the Abu Dhabi GP. He condemned the attacks on his family and called them “disgusting”. Verstappen also added, “If you have a problem with me, that’s fine, but don’t go after my family because that’s unacceptable”. 

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The Red Bull driver’s girlfriend later shared an Instagram story to answer back to the internet trolls. The Brazilian diva shared a post on her Instagram stories that said, “We don’t have enough time on earth to live unhappily.” Kelly put a caption on the post that read, “Focus on your life, your happiness and be grateful”  [Translated from Google Translate]

Red Bull defends star driver Max Verstappen, calls him a “fair team player”

After the chaotic race in Brazil, Red Bull released a statement acknowledging the events that happened on Sunday. Furthermore, they have also taken the blame on themselves after the huge backlash against their drivers. In the statement released, Red Bull also defended their driver in what was a huge mishap from their end.

Red Bull said, “As a team, we made some mistakes in Brazil,”. The statement further stated, “We had not envisaged the situation that unfolded on the last lap and we had not agreed a strategy for such a scenario before the race.”

Furthermore, it said, “Regretfully, Max was only informed at the final corner of the request to give up position without all the necessary information being relayed. This put Max, who has always been an open and fair team player, in a compromising situation with little time to react which was not our intention.”

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Max Verstappen and co will be looking to put behind the Brazilian GP and focus on the next race. The Dutch Lion would have fond memories of the Abu Dhabi GP after miraculously winning his maiden title last year. Moreover, Checo will look to grab the runners-up position in the drivers’ championship. Will Red Bull bounce back in Abu Dhabi?