“I did nothing wrong,” Max Verstappen justifies his fastest lap attempt disobeying team orders at Spanish GP

Max Verstappen risks team boss orders and attempts the fastest lap at the Spanish Grand Prix despite a black and white flag


“I did nothing wrong,” Max Verstappen justifies his fastest lap attempt disobeying team orders at Spanish GP

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen, who was leading the Spanish Grand Prix, ignored Gianpiero Lambiase, his race engineer’s radio message to go for the fastest lap. Verstappen was in the league of his own on Sunday’s race, but the determined Dutchman was eager to score the extra one point, and in the end, clenched a grand slam in Barcelona.

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Despite dominating the race, Max Verstappen could not help but exceed track limits three times, which earned him a black-and-white flag. A 5-second penalty threat was looming over the Dutchman, but he still enquired about the fastest lap of his race engineer. “We cannot afford any [risks]. Don’t worry about it,” GP replied.

The 2-time world champion, although, disregarded this order and went on to take the fastest lap of the Spanish Grand Prix. “Bring it home – within the white lines now. Thank you,” said GP after Max’s purple lap. Post-race, however, Max Verstappen said all was good within the team after being asked about him, ignoring the information given to him.

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“Of course, we’ll talk to him,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said after Max Verstappen’s risky fastest-lap attempt

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen; Image credit: Yahoo News UK

Although the current championship leader clenched a grand slam and won the Spanish GP commandingly, Team principal Christian Horner was not overly impressed. A very cautious Horner believed there was more to risk after three warnings to Max. He stated that a sudden safety car could have been “extremely painful.” He also said that he would talk to Verstappen after his Sunday antics.

Verstappen, however, did not believe he did anything wrong. He claimed he had the pace to do it, and if he kept his RB19 on track, he would get that extra point. “I kept it within the white lines, I just went a bit faster on the lap, so I didn’t do anything wrong,” explained the championship leader. “I was laughing about it with Helmut [Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor] after the race so I’m pretty sure they’re quite happy,” he concluded.

Verstappen now has five wins this season after his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Dutchman extended his championship lead by 53 points ahead of his teammate and championship rival Sergio Perez. Red Bull is currently P1 in the constructors’ championship, with a 135-point lead ahead of former rivals Mercedes.

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