It is the eternal F1 off-season that doesn’t seem to end. While fans are taking the toll of this perennial winter break, even drivers have resorted to several off-track activities that may keep them busy. The 2022 champion Max Verstappen is no exception, as he has picked up a new hobby in the new year. The Red Bull prodigy is now going to try Kendo, much to fans’ surprise. However, not everyone is delighted with the Dutchman. They have reacted on social media to keep trolling him on several past fiascos.
As per Red Bull Racing’s post on social media, Max is wearing a never-seen Kendo uniform (Gi and Hakama) with a bamboo sword in hand. Many are shocked to see the Dutchman take a hobby besides racing or F1. Nevertheless, fans have sarcastically taken shots at Verstappen for several issues.
The first of these issues is, of course, related to his fiasco with his teammate Sergio Perez. Since their team orders mess in Brazil, it is unclear whether their relations are good or not. Still, many are blaming Verstappen for his denial to help Checo in Sao Paulo. Max had denied Sergio a P6 finish in Brazil for the Mexican’s fight for P2 in the standings.
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Furthermore, many have also been calling out the infamous “cheating” allegations after the budget cap breach revelations about Red Bull. Yet, this toxicity has been going on for a while since the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP events. Thus, Max’s new unseen avatar has just refreshed his victim status to this toxicity and vitriol on social media.
Fans Troll Max Verstappen after his Latest Kendo Avatar
Many feel that Verstappen still may be arguably selfish while racing with Sergio Perez in 2023. Thus, with his new avatar with his Kendo sword, fans have made sarcastic remarks on how Max and Checo’s dynamic will go this year. Besides, the cheating allegations are a never-ending saga for the past 2 years now.
Max when Checo wants to overtake him pic.twitter.com/5XhrNvodtE
— Adrian ⛩️ Hetman 🐺⚔️ (@adrianhetman) January 9, 2023
He's ready for stabb someone im the back.
— Fes (@Fes24939696) January 9, 2023
Someone check if Checo is OK.
— Soulis Theodosiou (@thsoulis) January 9, 2023
Makes a change from cheating!
— Tim Cutbush (@timcutbush) January 9, 2023
Yes, not helping my teammate
— Maussan (@Mau128) January 9, 2023
The Perez-Verstappen tussle may just be an exaggeration. Eventually, they both are professionals and may want to avoid any silly conflicts to intervene in their championship goals.
Try winning without cheating !
— Paul Brooks (@PaulbrooksAMG) January 9, 2023
Maybe he can learn about honor there
— Men Gnuseen (@MenGnuseen) January 10, 2023
At last no team work required on this
— Luis Arce (@dispenseusted) January 9, 2023
Try winning without cheating or the FIA
— Brent (@BrentGardiner) January 9, 2023
And still you'll find a way to
Cheat— Peter Atkins (@pa_pga) January 9, 2023
It hasn’t been the best of the years for Verstappen on social media. With so much vitriol and toxicity of the Brazil GP fiasco, Abu Dhabi 2021, and the recent budget cap controversy, this latest Kendo story is just fuelling the fire on social media. Even if it’s completely irrelevant.
Nonetheless, Max may not want to focus on the social media toxicity and relax with his new hobby. Time will tell Whether Kendo helps him to keep his mind focused on the upcoming season and his racing. Yet there are fans who poked fun at his Kendo too with a touch of sarcasm.
“I have my reasons” pic.twitter.com/cijp6gVna0
— Tiger (@Xe__) January 9, 2023
How not to get mad when someone levels allegations at your team which turn out to be true? For starters.
— James Rimmer (@thejudge2k11) January 9, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: The Angriest F1 Radio Rants of Max Verstappen
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— Fer RO (@Fernando91RO) January 9, 2023
The 1x world Champion looks great 🥰
— Thommy Rupps (@Herrvonundsub) January 9, 2023
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Max would dearly hope to avoid any unnecessary issues over this persistent trolling on social media. After all, it is going to be an important season with two different teams, perhaps challenging Red Bull for the championship. Still, what do you think of Verstappen’s new Kendo avatar?