“Maybe save it until the end of the race” : Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen see eye-to-eye on the flare issue during the Austrian GP

“Maybe save it until the end of the race” : Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen see eye-to-eye on the flare issue during the Austrian GP

The 2022 Austrian GP

Many spectators ignited their flares before the Austrian Grand Prix began, partially engulfing the Red Bull Ring in an orange haze. The torches were nice for photos, but 7-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton wasn’t too fond of them.

The orange haze during the formation lap, according to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, was fairly intense but not too severe. Hamilton largely concurs with his chief competitor in 2021 when it comes to visibility.

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Max Verstappen doesn’t seem to have a big issue regarding flares

Lewis Hamilton(on the left) and Max Verstappen(on the right)
Lewis Hamilton(on the left) and Max Verstappen(on the right)

“You couldn’t see the apex of Turn 7, and at the end of the race, you couldn’t see anything through Turn 6,” said Hamilton in the latest FIA press conference. “Maybe they should just save them more so for the end? Yeah. I can’t believe they’re already good environmentally either,” concluded Hamilton.

The flares are less of an issue for Max Verstappen. “I saw one flare, like they threw it onto the track or into the grass. I think that’s the only thing they [the fans] shouldn’t do,” added Verstappen. Verstappen said he is okay with that because the majority of the fog is blowing over the circuit anyway.

Also Read: Max Verstappen scheduled to stay a bit longer in Austria to gear up for 2023 F1 testing

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