Controversial Ex-F1 Boss Dismisses Fan Emotions to Laud Max Verstappen for Excellent Racing

Joan Villadelprat is a man who knows the Formula 1 Circus all too well. Born in Spain, in 1955, Villadelprat’s journey in Formula 1 has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. With key roles in renowned teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Tyrrell Racing, and having served as the managing director at Prost Grand Prix, his opinions about Formula 1 do carry a certain gravity with themselves. And recently he weighed in on the achievements of Max Verstappen and Red Bull in the recently concluded 2023 season.

However, Villadelprat’s career is also associated with controversy. His career was marred by the Epsilon scandal. It was a legal saga involving corruption and mismanagement of public funds, resulting in a guilty verdict for Villadelprat and a three-year ban from managing third-party goods or funds.

Joan Villadelprat praises Max Verstappen and urges other teams to learn a thing or two from Red Bull

Despite the controversies that have marked his path, Villadelprat’s 50-year tenure in motorsports grants him a unique perspective. Recently, he shared his insights in an interview with Diario AS, focusing on the 2023 Formula 1 season and the dominant force that shaped it–Max Verstappen.

Reflecting on the season, Villadelprat didn’t shy away from addressing the criticism leveled by fans who found the races predictable due to the Dutchman’s dominance. He dismissed such sentiments, emphasizing the need to congratulate Red Bull Racing for their extraordinary job and Max Verstappen for his excellent driving.

“The tendency of the average fan opinion is that the season has been boring because the same guy always won,” said Joan. “But for people who are involved in this world or those of us who have worked for many decades in this, what we should do is congratulate Red Bull for the extraordinary job they have done and Max for his excellent driving.“

According to Villadelprat, the success of the team should serve as motivation for other teams to raise their game. “This should encourage the other teams to work harder and better. But complaining that the same team always won makes no sense. If he has done it, it is because he has deserved it,“ he added.

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Following his most dominant run ever, the FIA Awards Gala provided the backdrop for Max Verstappen to share his emotions about bidding farewell to the RB19.

Verstappen gets emotional while bidding adieu to the RB19

In a sport where precision and calculated risks are the norm, Verstappen’s vulnerability offered a rare glimpse into the human side of Formula 1. Speaking at the Gala, the 26-year-old provided insights into Red Bull’s outlook for the 2024 season. Despite acknowledging the challenges in maintaining their dominant win rate, he expressed a willingness to sacrifice individual victories if it meant securing the championship.

However, the most poignant moment came when Verstappen shared his emotional farewell to the RB19. The realization that the season had concluded struck him on the podium in Abu Dhabi. Standing tall on the Yas Marina Circuit, Verstappen reflected on driving the car for the last time, a moment that hit him unexpectedly. In his own words, “You realize the season is over, and you don’t get to drive this car anymore, unfortunately.“

Despite the emotional farewell, the Dutchman spared no praise for the Red Bull team. He acknowledged their collective effort as the driving force behind his dominant performance throughout the season. In a moment of reflection, he expressed feeling “super proud“ of the team’s achievements and conveyed gratitude for their instrumental role in his success.

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Will the RB20 be as dominant as its predecessor, or will other top teams close the gap to Red Bull? Share your thoughts and insights with us in the comments.