Niki Lauda questions Verstappen 'intelligence'
- Published on 16 Apr 2018 10:55
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- By: Rob Veenstra
F1 legend Niki Lauda has questioned Max Verstappen's "intelligence" after the Chinese grand prix. The Dutchman's headline faux pas in Shanghai was a clash with world championship leader Sebastian Vettel, for which he apologised privately. "That was s**t," Verstappen told Bild newspaper. "It was my fault but I cannot undo it now."
The 20-year-old is often defiant in the wake of clashes, but this time around he was criticised not only by Vettel and Lauda, but also his own bosses Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko. "He needs to control himself a bit more," Marko told Movistar. "I have told him that his time is coming but that he cannot overdo it. He knows that he has lost a victory and we lost a 1-2."
German Vettel said he is at least happy with how Verstappen dealt with the aftermath of the crash. "I thought it was good that he came to me rather than doing it through the media. He misjudged the situation, made a mistake, and that can happen even if you have 300 races under your belt," said the Ferrari driver. "But I don't think it's a matter of age. He already has a few races under his belt now. In such situations, he just has to be a little more patient," Vettel added.
F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Lauda was much more critical of Verstappen, as his mistakes continue to mount. "Normally, you learn from your mistakes, but it doesn't work with him. At some point, it's no longer a question of age, but a matter of intelligence," he said.
However, F1 race director Charlie Whiting said the FIA is not going to intervene. "I think the stewards did their job and nothing else is necessary," he said. "I believe he made a mistake and got his punishment." (GMM)
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Replies (8)
Login to replyjuju_hound
Posts: 180
Verstappen made two stupid mistakes. First he wanted to overtake Lewis in place where you do not overtake and he ended up outside the circuit giving a place do Ricciardo what changed into giving him a victory. Secodnary we hit Vettel.
I couldn't believe he is able to make those mistakes.
He is just like Senna, he is very fast but makes to many crashes. He have to change his mind like Prost - you don't win a race in one corner, you have more than 50 laps to do it.
Hot head.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Hot head indeed. Im not sure I agree with the old geezer Lauda, but they were silly mistakes. It feels like he has been rushing it more than usual.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Like Senna? I get the point you are trying to make, I just don't think it's a good comparison. I'd say he's been more Maldonado (very fast but very reckless) than Senna lately. You could have also said Andreas de Cesaris. Anyway, like you @Calle I think Lauda is exaggerating. I didn't know it until this weekend, but Max has a lot of people that hate him, both on and off the paddock.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A mix between the two is probably a fair comparison. I honestly dont know if Lauda is exaggerating, mind. He seem to like Ver generally, but he tend to speak his mind in a not always positive way... Honestly I like him less and less, which is unfortunate.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I completely agree with Lauda here. He's literally fucked up in all 3 races thus far, not to mention he had quite a few incidents last year.
Yes, he's quite fast, but it's also easier to be fast when you're reckless.
I also wish people would stop with the whole "oh he's young, he's still learning etc."
It's his 3rd season, he's pushing 50 grand prix starts - there are no excuses at this point.
mpm001
Posts: 20
agree with you 100%, I think his dad may be the main enabler. Ham did much better after he broke away from his dad. Maybe time for verstapepn to do the same.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, leave his age out of it. He aint exactly that young anymore, and he has been in F1 for how long now? Mind, for him to screw up this bad 3 races in a row.. He is a tad rash and inconsistent, but generally he is no Maldonado. If he keep this up, we might need a hasmaxverstappencrashedtoday.com ... *bäähImfacetiousbäääh!*
blade
Posts: 341
His advisors (whoever) must be telling him he's onto a good thing, that why he's not really changing. The battle for supremacy in RBR means he's having to drive the nuts off the car, but it's not always the hare that wins the race...