“They created the problems themselves,” Max Verstappen slams the FIA over the carnage at the Australian GP

Max Verstappen blamed the FIA over the disastrous second restart at the Australian GP.

“They created the problems themselves,” Max Verstappen slams the FIA over the carnage at the Australian GP

Max Verstappen

The Australian GP was full of action. The race saw three red flags that received backlash from drivers and fans alike. In particular, the second restart of the GP saw 4 cars crashing out as drivers went all in for a 2 lap shootout. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has called out the FIA over the decisions made during the race. However, the Dutchman did emerge victorious at Albert Park.

The 25-year-old was glad to have won round three of the F1 calendar. Albeit, Max Verstappen acknowledged the confusing last few laps of the Grand Prix. He stated, “I am very happy to have won, but the race towards the end was a bit of a mess.” The Dutchman further expressed his failure to understand the need for a second red flag after Kevin Magnussen retired. Verstappen continued,  “I didn’t understand why we needed a red flag.”

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The Australian GP was full of carnage and controversies

Moreover, the reigning world champion mentioned how other drivers thought the same as the Red Bull driver. The 25-year-old said, “It left a lot of drivers confused.” George Russell had also called out the FIA over the red flags. Subsequently, Max Verstappen described how the FIA could have avoided this incident with just a standard Safety Car procedure.

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Max Verstappen stated, “If we would have had a safety car and then a normal rolling start we wouldn’t have had all these shunts and then you have a normal finish.” The two-time world champion blamed Race Control for causing such a chaotic incident. Max Verstappen believed the disastrous restart to be the own making of the stewards. He said, “So they created the problems themselves.”

Discover: Who won the 2023 F1 Australian GP?

“We’ll talk in Baku,” Max Verstappen hints at discussions over the Australian GP red flags

The Lap 56 restart of the Australian GP
The Lap 56 restart of the Australian GP

The Red Bull driver mentioned the need for talks with the FIA to understand its decision-making, and potentially avoid such incidents. Max Verstappen continued, “We’ll talk about it, I think it left a lot of drivers confused about why we needed a red flag.” Lastly, the 25-year-old claimed such discussions would occur at the Azerbaijan GP weekend. He concluded, “We’ll talk in Baku.”

The paddock is unhappy with the way the Australian GP was handled. Teams and drivers have publicly stated that it could have been a way for race control to ensure entertainment for the viewers. As the fans get to witness drivers going head-to-head in standing starts, rather than a rolling start under the Safety Car.

Undoubtedly, Max Verstappen is not pleased. The Dutchman is adamant that the FIA could’ve easily avoided such carnage. As such, drivers and teams are eager to come to the table with the sports governing body. In a bid to ensure that this is not repeated in F1 again. Although, fans will have to wait almost three weeks before the next round of the season in Baku.

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