You would think after doing it over and over and every other weekend for the better part of the year, F1 drivers would be desensitized. Desensitized about their privilege and the command they have over other people’s lives. Also, desensitized about the control they don’t have over their lives and the dangers of driving the fastest cars on the planet. However, ever so often there comes a time when the drivers get a brutal reality check. Sadly it was at the expense of the 18-year-old Dutchman Dilano Van ‘t Hoff which left Max Verstappen speechless.

Verstappen is a dominant, fierce, and brilliantly consistent performer. However, even he has suffered a massive shunt in the past which still haunts the entire Red Bull team. Verstappen might’ve put the accident in the past. However, as quoted on Twitter, Van ‘t Hoff’s untimely demise reminded him of his family and left him speechless.

“I sent out a message on social media. A little later I saw that Dilano’s sister had commented under my post: ‘Max, you were his great example. Thank you for this message.'”

“That response did something to me. Then I immediately think about my family, then you think: Sh*t, if this had happened to me, they would have… Then you think: F**K,” said a disoriented Verstappen in an interview with Formula.nl magazine.

People can’t point any fingers at anyone for this extremely shameful scenario. However, there are drivers who are of the opinion the FIA could’ve or should’ve intervened and Verstappen is among them.

Read More: “Shouldn’t Happen Again”: Following Tragic Death of Dilano Van’t Hoff, Fernando Alonso Issues Contradictory Solutions to Lance Stroll to Avoid Such Horrific Outcomes

Max Verstappen blasts the FIA for their careless tackling of the situation which led to Danilo Van ‘t Hoff’s demise

Verstappen is usually an extremely reserved driver who does not like to stir up unnecessary drama. However, the early demise of his countryman stirred him up. The Red Bull man, while discussing the dangers of the track, also pointed fingers at the governing body who restarted the race. F1 has, on many occasions now, delayed races because of heavy rain. Why was this protocol not followed during the race which took Van ‘t Hoff’s life? This was Verstappen’s argument.

“Of course, it’s a dangerous corner, but the accident happened beyond that curve. That said, we are going to other tracks where the danger is very real”, said Verstappen and added, “I think it’s not honest to blame only the track. What needs to be analyzed first is why they restarted the race in such precarious visibility conditions. We can’t let young pilots throw themselves into a wall of water, blindly, it’s suicidal.”

The FIA and F1 have undoubtedly made strides in their pursuit of higher safety for all drivers. However, the same effect needs to trickle down to junior categories as well.

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