Guess I've googled for enough F1 stuff that the algos now recommend me articles in the MSM. Ah, yes; correct, my clanker friends. I want to read this. (Yesterday, YT gave me this to watch: Verstappen's legendary Sao Paulo race, from seventeenth grid to victory.)
Max Verstappen smiled as he stood in the cordoned-off zone that is parc fermé. He looked happier than he had sounded over the radio during the Hungarian Grand Prix. His second-placed finish marked his third podium in four races.
The Dutchman has grown frustrated with the car issues his team is facing, the problem seemingly different every time. In a slew of comments over the radio throughout the weekend, he mentioned balance and shift issues, as well as the car being aerodynamically broken.
On paper, it hasn't been a good season for this outspoken Dutch former champion. He is sixth, a full 110 points behind Antonelli, his chances at F1 2026 championship virtually done for. (I still hold some 10,000 shares on him on Predyx... outside chances, dude's a miracle machine.)
In reality, he's been doing better than it seems: qualified P2 in Monaco, but then car stumbled at the start of the race; crashed in Australia; engine fuck-up in China; crashed at Silverstone when he was in third place.
The margins in F1 are super slim, stupidly narrow, and he's been on the wrong side of them in several of the first half of the season.
Despite Verstappen’s second and Hadjar sixth-placed finish in Hungary, Red Bull is facing a reality check. The team needs to create a more all-around car where both Verstappen and Hadjar can push, rather than having to overcompensate or wrestle with it.
"The mood was bleak. Verstappen told the media Saturday after qualifying “it’s not good.”""The mood was bleak. Verstappen told the media Saturday after qualifying “it’s not good.”"
Red Bull has taken steps forward since the season opener in Melbourne, where the team looked off-pace. But Mekies made it clear: “Don’t count on me to say that we are satisfied because we are not because we will not be satisfied until we go back to have a race car that has a pace to win on merit.”
...and then he finished Hungary second. Nobody saw that coming... but it didn't surprise me:P
Last year he was hopelessly behind the McLarens who dominated all year... and yet, Norris narrowly escaped with victory by two points, even though Max won the final race. A similar incredible repeat but against Mercedes this year?!
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I don't know anything about F1, but something that's fascinated me is that my teenage daughter and many of her friends are really into it
I'm curious what they did to reach the teenage crowd. I don't think teenage me knew or cared about F1 at all.
Yea, man. People at the events in aaaall ages. Very impressivr
Drive to survive saved F1
Is crazy to say but it's true, the sport was dead, lower & lower crowds were going to tracks, the white heads blamed mid east money, I've never stopped watching and it was really near to ☠️
Gossip saved the sport i can tell you that
Drive to Survive the F1 show on netflix has exploded its popularity especially with younger folks. It's a cool show you should check it out.
I think Verstappen will leave after this season. One big prediction I have is that Hadjar will be champion in the next 5 years. There's something about his driving.
Too much money left on the table, all the crying is a bad car, once they get it right he's back. But maybe a Predyx market, Max on the grid in 28 give you another season to nail it?
That'd be sad. Hadjar has been great indeed
Verstappen is awesome. I hope he doesn't retire. I want to see him get a better car and chase Hamilton's records.
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