via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 2, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen before practice REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 2, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen before practice REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
The Dutch GP was clinched by home boy Max Verstappen. Although, it was not as straightforward as the Belgium GP. Verstappen was seemingly ‘trailing’ the race with a pit stop left to make. It needed Red Bull’s sister club, AlphaTauri’s misfortune that bailed them out from a tricky situation. However, it would be unfair to say that AlphaTauri did it on purpose to benefit Max.
The Italian constructors find themselves in a delicate situation after fans blamed them for purposefully sending out Yuki Tsunoda back on track to bring out a safety car. AlphaTauri released a statement on Twitter condemning the accusations stating,
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“It is incredibly disheartening to read some of the language and comments directed at our team and towards Red Bull Racing’s head of strategy, Hannah Schmitz. Such hateful behaviour cannot be tolerated, and to entertain accusations of foul play is unacceptable, untrue and completely disrespectful towards both Hannah and us.”
AlphaTauri stands firm in their decision to allow Tsunoda to rejoin the race and compete again. Red Bull‘s sister club has squashed any accusations of them ‘helping’ Max Verstappen and claimed that they compete “independently, fairly and with the highest levels of respect and sportsmanship.”
The statement also clarified that the Japanese driver suffered “a failure that the team didn’t immediately detect which caused him to stop on track.” The statement concluded by saying, “To suggest anything different is insulting and categorically incorrect.”
READ MORE: Max Verstappen Celebrates 4th Consecutive Win With a Jibe at His Winless Father
The hatred AlphaTauri and Hannah Schmitz have received on social media is disrespectful and totally uncalled for. Hopefully, they can put this fiasco behind and gear up for the next race in Italy.
F1 Twitter defends AlphaTauri and Hannah Schmitz amidst Max Verstappen conspiracy
Formula 1 is no stranger to drama, and it continued at the Dutch GP. AlphaTauri’s decision to allow Tsunoda to continue racing raised quite a few eyebrows. However, F1 Twitter came to the rescue of Faenza based outfit.
Alpha Tauri’s 5 points off Haas and have scored once in the past 7 races. Why would they sacrifice the driver who looked most likely to score? If he was trying to disrupt the race why did he stop directly by a marshal post and exit road? Sometimes folks need to engage their brain
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) September 5, 2022
We offer solidarity and much love, team ♥
— F1® Mobile Racing (@F1MobileRacing) September 5, 2022
The fact you've even had to make this statement says a lot about how much Social Media needs to be improved
— Josh¹⁰ (@JFatality_x) September 5, 2022
As long as two teams are owned by the same person, and the junior team is constantly having issues that benefit the main team- there will always be people querying the legitimacy- take the two AT starting in the pit lane in Spa and moving Max up two places as an example
— SMD (@F1SMD) September 5, 2022
Meanwhile, some fans were furious at F1 commentators for insinuating fuel to fire.
Maybe its time to adress the elephant in the room…the sky sports commentators with their underlying comments that spark these reactions and add fuel to these fires
— Ja-nine Branford (@JB_RBPaddockF1) September 5, 2022
COMPLETELY AGREE. I've been saying this for years that Crofty just sparks fire and talks so much useless crap that regardless of what he says, sends most sane people into a rage.
— NVM (@NVM56347777) September 5, 2022
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WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen and Christian Horner slam Mercedes for trying to ‘take shine off’ F1 title win after Lewis Hamilton drama
Initially, and very disappointingly, Crofty and Ted from sky sports started this, by saying something is very fishy here.
— Tommy (@trsheehan) September 5, 2022
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After a controversial Dutch GP, Formula 1 returns next week at Monza. It is also AlphaTauri’s home race and they will be looking to put the Dutch GP behind. AlphaTauri are currently 8th in the constructors’ championship. However, they will be looking to overtake Haas in the standings.
Do you think AlphaTauri can finish above Haas?
