Aggressive approach rewards Max Verstappen, as he scores 10-0 against Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc in Austria. The Dutchman, who forced his direct championship rival Lando Norris to retire after their collision, extends his lead in the standings. Returning to the pits with a punctured left rear tire, he quickly switched to red tires, managing to finish in fifth position despite a 10-second penalty.
In Formula 1, cunning and, why not, ruthlessness often prevail. A typical trait of great champions, ruthlessness fuels on-track and off-track battles, keeping the flame of fierce competition alive. Not always “sporting,” as is often said to soften its generally negative connotation, ruthlessness is what makes Max Verstappen the driver we know today.
A champion often known for reckless driving, as highlighted in 2021. The world championship battle with Lewis Hamilton shaped a daring driver who deliberately pushes his opponents to the brink of disaster and seems to challenge them: “Go ahead, try to pass me, you’ll see we’ll both crash!” A tactic that unnerves rivals, who are not always able to cope with such audacity.
This is also what Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, complained about, firmly believing that 2021 somehow validated certain tactics. The bottom line is clear: at the end of the Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has extended his lead by another 10 points over Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, with their respective scores being zero.
To beat the Dutchman, it takes not just heart but a lot of brains. This was understood by the Ferrari driver, who in 2022 managed to get into the mind of the Lion, shifting from prey to predator. To this day, Charles Leclerc remains the only driver capable of battling on equal terms with the world champion. For Lando Norris, injustices aside, the road to maturity begins now.
Source: f1ingenerale
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