‘Wonder if He Was Smart Enough’: Former Dutch F1 Driver Doubts Max Verstappen’s Tactics at Bahrain GP

The 2022 season of Formula 1 started in the most enticing manner and kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Ferrari completed a 1-2, with Charles Leclerc finishing on top of the pile. However, Red Bull’s disastrous outing handed Hamilton a place on the podium. He benefitted from the DNF of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who were forced to retire in the concluding laps of the race due to suspected fuel pump issues.

But before all of this unfolded, it was Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri that caught fire and brought out the safety car. The safety car allowed Verstappen to close his gap to race leader Leclerc. But, former F1 driver Jan Lammers has questioned the Dutchman’s strategy against the Ferrari driver during the safety car restart. Red Bull lost valuable points in Bahrain, and they will look to capitalize on it in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Jan Lammers criticizes Verstappen’s strategy

Pierre Gasly’s engine troubles meant the introduction of a safety car. This provided Max Verstappen the opportunity to pounce on Leclerc. The World Champion’s strategy to hustle the leader during the end of the safety car is well known. He used the same tactic in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he beat Lewis Hamilton to win the World Championship.

However, it did not benefit him this time, as he not only lost his distance to Leclerc but Carlos Sainz in 3rd place closed him down. As a result, fellow Dutchman and former F1 driver Jan Lammers questioned Verstappen’s tactics.

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He said, “I’m not saying he’s doing anything wrong, but you have to wonder if he was smart enough to go inside. Leclerc was able to take the momentum into the last corner and Sainz was right down the neck of Verstappen, because he was able to take the corner normally.” the Dutchman explained.

Can Max Verstappen and Red Bull bounce back?

Verstappen and Leclerc were neck to neck throughout the entire race. However, the Monegasque drive led most of the laps in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race heated up during lap 17 when Verstappen overtook Leclerc for a brief moment. Nevertheless, it did not materialize in the Dutchman’s favor. Subsequently, things went from bad to worse for Red Bull. During the last lap, Sergio Perez followed the Dutch driver in retiring the car because of fuel issues.

Red Bull and Verstappen had a disastrous start to the 2022 season. However, things are only getting started. A three-way battle between Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull is imminent. Where the Austrian team will hope to come out on top. Can the Milton Keynes outfit bounce back and aid Max Verstappen’s ambition to win his second World Championship?

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