WATCH: Max Verstappen fires back at reporter for questioning him ‘banging the steering wheel’ after disappointing Q3
Max Verstappen missed out on pole position by a margin of +0.046s.
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Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (Via: Imago, X/Nini, screenshot)
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, did not have the best of outings during yesterday’s Hungarian GP qualifying session. The McLaren’s proved too mighty a challenge and just before the red flags came out late in Q3, Verstappen was spotted banging the RB20’s wheel.
During the post-quali press conference of the top three drivers, Max Verstappen was asked about the same. The moment an interviewer specifically mentioned the banging of the wheel, the 26-year-old snapped and came up with a strong reaction.
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This whole fiasco has made immense noise on the web and Verstappen’s short conversation with the interviewer went like this.
Interviewer: Just as you crossed the line, your Q3 run just before the Red flag came out, what was your reaction? You seem to be banging the steering wheel a little bit. Verstappen: Am I not allowed to be frustrated? Yeah, that's what happened.Max Verstappen via post qualifying press conference
“what was ur reaction after ur q3 run. u seem to be banging the steering wheel, what were u thinking at that point?
— nini (@SCUDERIAFEMBOY) July 20, 2024
max: i’m not allowed to be frustrated? yeah thats what happened. pic.twitter.com/IGaYgpYBp1
Looking at the short but strong reaction of the three-time world champion, it is quite clear that he was extremely frustrated. Moreover, much of the frustration could have stemmed from how close he was to amassing pole ahead of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen expected ‘more’ from the RB20 upgrades
While Verstappen cut out as an extremely frustrated figure at the end of qualifying, during a specific post-quali interview, he talked about the reason behind the anger. The 26-year-old expected more performance from the big upgrade Red Bull has brought to Budapest.
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Verstappen missed out on pole position by an extremely small margin of +0.046s.
These updates aren't good enough. I had hoped for more, and that's why I'm frustrated.Max Verstappen via Motorsport-Total
The Red Bull F1 team is in a real fight after a long time. The lights of McLaren and Mercedes are on the charge and it is high time the outfit gets its act together. For the upcoming 70-lap race, the outfit is running one-legged, with Sergio Perez slated to start his outing from P16. Keeping in view everything that has been discussed, it will be fascinating to see how Max Verstappen would fare against Norris and Co. during the highly anticipated race around the technical Hungaroring racing circuit.
In case you missed it:
- “Sergio Perez disappointed me again,” Helmet Marko extremely furious following the Mexican’ Hungarian GP Q1 crash
- Toto Wolff brands Mercedes’ Hungarian GP Qualifying as “a total underdelivery”
Rishabh Negi
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