formula 1
Cup broken: Verstappen asks to checkout
Even the broken trophy doesn’t change his winning streak: Max Verstappen celebrates after the Hungarian Grand Prix. photo
© Denes Erdos/AP/dpa
Max Verstappen drives the dominance in Formula 1 to a new peak with Red Bull. The competition establishes a class difference. However, Verstappen still has an open account from Hungary.
The matter of his broken winner’s cup left the insatiable Max Verstappen then no rest. “I will ask McLaren to pay for a new trophy for me,” said the all-time winner of Formula 1 via a team message after the mishap on the Hungarian podium. The fact that second-placed Lando Norris denied any blame for the hole in Verstappen’s outrageously expensive porcelain vase, despite clear images of his cheering with a champagne bottle, was countered by the Dutchman with a witty call for video evidence.
Verstappen does not have to display the damaged part in his showcase for a long time. “The teams should decide among themselves who is to blame, but we take on the joyous and difficult task of making the trophy again,” said Attila Simon, general manager of the Herend porcelain factory, on state TV channel M4 Sport. Verstappen will be sent the copy in a few weeks.
By then, the Flying Dutchman should have collected more trophies long ago. “It’s like a field of Formula 2 cars against a Formula 1 racing car,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, a class difference to the Red Bull driver. The Austrian dominated the premier class with the Silver Arrows for seven years, but Red Bull and Verstappen have taken the dominance to new heights.
Historic record for Red Bull
No Formula 1 team has ever managed twelve race wins in a row. The last time a driver from another racing team finished first at a Grand Prix was in George Russell’s victory in Brazil for Mercedes last November. A Red Bull has won 21 of the last 22 Formula 1 races. Verstappen was responsible for 18 of these successes.
“People forget a little how difficult it is to win twelve races in a row,” said the 25-year-old. That may be because Verstappen in particular makes it look as easy as Budapest. “Such days are rare that things are going so well. Normally it’s not that easy,” assured the double world champion.
An unconvincing argument given his sometimes unreal projections this season. He distanced Norris by more than 30 seconds at the Hungaroring. In the World Cup, Verstappen is already 110 points ahead of team-mate Sergio Pérez. “The sovereignty and lightness characterize him more and more as a very exceptional talent,” praised Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko.
“He is one with himself and the car,” said team boss Christian Horner, emphasizing Verstappen’s irrepressible self-confidence. Like the legend Alberto Ascari, record champion Michael Schumacher and most recently Nico Rosberg, the world championship leader has clinched seven victories in a row. Only Sebastian Vettel managed two more in 2013.
Vettel record in sight
Verstappen could also reach the mark of his Red Bull predecessor at the perceived home game in Belgian Spa on Sunday (3 p.m. / Sky) and at the Oranje Festival in Zandvoort at the end of August. “We see an athlete at the peak of his creativity. That is truly exceptional,” said team manager Horner.
The rest of the field is overwhelmed with the hunt for this Verstappen. McLaren may have made great progress after a completely messed-up start to the season, but they must first confirm this. Mercedes is still looking for the old strength of the permanent winner years. Ferrari is completely off track, Aston Martin has completely lost its early form. And Verstappen’s colleague Pérez is more concerned with fighting for his future at Red Bull than with the title race.
Verstappen leaves the worries of the others cold. Tension at the top is not his job, he says. If he has his way, the collection of winner’s trophies could continue like this. “I hope that we keep this momentum. Until the end of the year and then into the new year,” said Verstappen.