Earlier this year, Max Verstappen ran a drag race with a bullet train in Japan. Nothing out of the blue. Red Bull is known for putting out content that is far from normal. However, a major news outlet recently reposted the video and received a lot of flak for a mistake that Red Bull fans are certainly not ready to forgive for.
Red Bull putting up a show for fans, displaying the extremes their athletes are willing to go is no new thing. In 2019, Verstappen took his F1 car for a spin in the Austrian Alps covered in snow. The terrain was certainly unforgiving and the weather even more so. To overcome slipping, they tied metal chains around the tires. Not only did it serve its functional purpose but also made the car look absolute bad*ss.
Giant media outlet slammed by Max Verstappen fans
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The energy drink company, in its search for more such content, gave its defending F1 champion a task. A task of racing against Japan’s renowned bullet train. The video posted on Twitter by Red Bull Motor Japan in January saw the Dutchman lose against the Japanese engineering marvel. However, it made for great entertainment for the fans.
ESPN, American sports media giant worth $50 billion (as per Bleacher Report), recently reposted the video. However, they failed to put enough research before publishing it on their Twitter page as they mistook Verstappen for AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda. In the caption of the video, they wrote, “Is Yuki racing bullet trains in Japan?!”
That was enough for them to become the subject of some heavy trolling at the hands of Max’s Orange Army and some die-hard RB fans. Take a look at some of the reactions to the post.
Literally happened months ago you clowns
— Josh (@josh2o03) April 23, 2023
Thats max💀
— Joshua33 (@joshua_mv33) April 23, 2023
its max
— meg¹ 🫶🏻 (@maxsredbull) April 23, 2023
One fan slammed ESPN F1 for assuming the driver behind the wheel to be Yuki just because of the fact that the video was filmed in Japan.
so admin assumed it’s Yuki cause it’s in Japan..
not quite racism but oof, it’s definitely something
— Better Call Rando (@amallgoodman) April 23, 2023
The video was shot last year(Max car) pic.twitter.com/WUC0D4dEFu
— Fox / きつね 🦊 𝐑𝐁𝟏𝟗 (@Fox_konkon1) April 23, 2023
Some fans did not mince their words while expressing their displeasure.
These fucking clowns man https://t.co/Ev8NcIf3ii
— RedBull Power Unit (@RedBullPU1) April 23, 2023
One fan took the opportunity to troll Red Bull instead as their car lost to the train. Is it really embarrassing if you lose against the bullet train, though?
Whoever it is, they might as well be running https://t.co/fj61Ns5zp5
— joe (@nilknarfeoj) April 23, 2023
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Another fan just appreciated the sound the engine made while passing by.
It sounds so good dammit https://t.co/tfB7UXnvuv
— ///M-Bouy💙❤️ (@MohlaleGCR) April 23, 2023
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