Max Verstappen SLAMS FIA for not getting a Safety Car right after Sergio Perez’s crash with Carlos Sainz

Max Verstappen was disappointed by the stewards' decision to deploy a Virtual Safety Car instead of a full Safety Car at the Azerbaijan GP.

Max Verstappen SLAMS FIA for not getting a Safety Car right after Sergio Perez’s crash with Carlos Sainz

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez were involved in a big crash on the penultimate lap of the Azerbaijan GP. Perez had been having one of his best races in a long time and had even out-qualified his teammate Max Verstappen by securing P4.

However, the race result didn’t go his way, leading to yet another disappointment for the Mexican driver. Verstappen later expressed frustration with the FIA for not deploying the safety car immediately after the crash between Perez and Sainz.

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Max Verstappen was upset with FIA’s decision to deploy a virtual safety car instead of a full safety car after the crash. The Dutchman felt that the crash was too serious as the two cars slammed into the wall. He said he didn’t understand why the stewards took so long to react as he felt that the safety car should’ve been sent out immediately to ensure the track was safe for others.

FS Video
You should have sent out a safety car straight away. I don't get it. I mean, there are two cars right in the wall. I don't get why it has to take so long?
Max Verstappen said
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Verstappen was also frustrated with the stewards’ decision to use double yellow flags instead of deploying a safety car. He said the track was fully blocked with cars, debris, and visible damage, making a full Safety Car necessary.

And then there's a double yellow. Why double? Just deploy a safety car! The track is completely blocked, there's debris everywhere and there's damage.
Max Verstappen added

Max Verstappen claims the changes made to his car ‘tipped it over the edge’ before qualifying

Max Verstappen disagreed with the idea that the changes made to the car suited Sergio Perez’s driving style more. He said the adjustments made to the car were positive overall, but getting the right setup was still very important.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Verstappen felt that they were moving in the right direction with the changes. However, the last tweaks they made just before qualifying pushed things too far and disrupted the balance of the car.

No, no, no. I think the changes that we did to the car were positive! but then ofcourse you need a good set-up with the car. We we're heading in a right direction, but the changes we made before qualifying tipped it over the edge, and we paid the price for that in the race unfortunately
Max Verstappen said
https://x.com/verstappenews/status/1835346839291199941?t=FYaJmBptG3JwZyjwXaFsNw&s=08
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The changes Red Bull made before Saturday’s qualifying session didn’t go as planned. Despite the tweaks, balance issues persisted, leading to Verstappen starting the race from P6. The Azerbaijan GP proved to be a major setback for the team, as Red Bull lost the lead in the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren.