Max Verstappen Forced to ‘Stock Up’ Race Victories in a Dig at Potential F1 Threat

The French Grand Prix concluded the 12th round of the 2022 F1 championship. The thrilling Grand Prix had everything from off-track strategy drama to on-track action. Max Verstappen capitalized on the mistake of his rival, Charles Leclerc, to extend his lead in the championship.

After the race, ahead of his flight to Budapest, he posed for a picture with his buddy, Lando Norris. The Brit, himself, had a decent weekend after qualifying P5 on Saturday and finishing P7 on Sunday. However, the duo captured the attention of the F1 fans with their banter on Instagram.

Norris captioned the picture with Verstappen by saying “27 Race wins between us after today!” The reigning world champion in his 153rd race start grabbed the 27th victory of his Formula 1 career. Notably, his 7th win of the 2022 season. 

The Dutchman fired back at the Briton by saying, “I need to stock up before you start stealing them off me @landonorris” 

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The Bristol-born is yet to secure his first win in the premier racing league. Last year, at the Russian GP, he started in pole position and came very close to securing that accolade. Nevertheless, the rain washed away his ambitions that evening.

Just like the Red Bull ace, the paddock recognizes him as a driver with the potential for winning the world championship. It won’t be long before he adds his own victories and joins Verstappen in being called a Grand Prix winner.

Red Bull boss: Lando Norris at par with Max Verstappen

Under the new rules and regulations, Ferrari and Red Bull have set the performance benchmark this season. The Woking outfit, which had the aspirations to fight at the front this season, is far behind the pace set by the leaders. This has halted the young Brits’ ambitions of competing for a world title.

Time and time again, the 22-year-old has shown that he possesses the talent it requires to be successful in this dog-eat-dog competition. Nonetheless, he has never been behind the wheel of a car that has the potential to fight for race wins, week in and week out.

The Red Bull boss, Helmut Marko, reflected on it by saying “The only driver that I see with the same talent as Max, and in the same league, is Lando Norris, but he doesn’t have the best equipment at the moment.”

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Both F1 superstars share the Belgium heritage among themselves. With his karting buddy already registering himself as a world champion, how long do you think it will take for the McLaren driver to claim his first world title?