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Max Verstappen refuses to retract 'idiot' insult

Published on 25 Oct 2017 11:16
16
By: Rob Veenstra

Max Verstappen says he will not apologise for calling an F1 steward an "idiot" after the US grand prix. Just before walking onto the podium in Austin, the Dutchman was told a penalty for his last-lap move on Kimi Raikkonen had cost him third place. Verstappen, his father Jos and Red Bull reacted with fury.

The 20-year-old driver even called one of the stewards - named by Dutch media as Australian Garry Connelly - a "mongool". It translates to "mongol", and the insult upset a Down Syndrome group. "It was said in the heat of the moment and of course I did not mean to hurt anyone," Verstappen told Ziggo Sport Totaal on Monday when told about the reaction to his 'mongol' comment.

But to English-language reporters, Verstappen also called the steward an "idiot", and contrary to reports elsewhere, he is refusing to retract that insult. "I'm really not angry anymore," he told De Telegraaf newspaper. "I had a super race and that is now the dominant feeling. But I called the steward an idiot and I will not take it back."

That is despite the fact it is believed the FIA is looking into whether the insult has brought the sport into disrepute. But Verstappen says it is his responsibility to criticise where he sees fit. "It was just unfair, and myself or Red Bull cannot even appeal," he said. "That is ridiculous and it has to change. It is my duty as a driver to indicate if something in formula one is a big mistake. And that is a big mistake." (GMM)

DChemTech

Posts: 39

Bottas, Bottas, Vettel and Sainz all left the track running wide in an overtake situation, potentially increasing corner exit speed or providing a better blocking opportunity; making the turn shorter is not the only way you can gain an advantage.

Pretty much every driver likely went both wide a... [Read more]

1
Oct 25 2017 - 15:10

F1 News Max Verstappen

Replies (16)

talktohenry

Posts: 362
Circuit design is the problem here..........
- + 0
- Oct 25 2017 - 12:09
- MaxiDaans
  
  Posts: 141
  Not Really, They just need to speak about the tracklimits right now. They just have to brake earlier then. So for next year, between the white lines or not, will absolutely be a subject. I think the Circuit design is amazing
  + 0
  
  Oct 25 2017 - 12:12
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Amazing doesnt mean perfect. There are always niggles and bits that can be refined, removed, replaced or upgraded. They could have a kerb or something that makes it unbeneficial to go so wide on that bit, or they could widen the bit to allow for higher speeds. Either works for me. But yeah, its a great track, I've grown fond of it.
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  Oct 25 2017 - 12:25
- misstappen
  
  Posts: 2,998
  would be an idea to put a wall at certain places. The US is fond of walls (well at least Trump is) and secondly it would add another Wall of Champions to the championship.
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  Oct 25 2017 - 13:20
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Would be quite fitting. The Great Wall of the U.S by the Mexican border, and a smaller Great Wall at the Austin track. But would Mexico have to pay for that one aswell?
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  Oct 25 2017 - 13:34
- misstappen
  
  Posts: 2,998
  Calle.ITW..., yes obviously haha
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  Oct 25 2017 - 15:09
BENNY DONKER

Posts: 1,976
I like Max' style: afraid of nobody. A real future world champion!
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- Oct 25 2017 - 14:12
BENNY DONKER

Posts: 1,976
Regarding bringing the sport into disrepute: 'Suck my balls, honey!' was not even investigated. Why not?

The whole FIA is a farce! Leave our sport alone and go home, old men!
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- Oct 25 2017 - 14:14
thosko

Posts: 3
He clearly cut the corner and gained an advantage, making the turn shorter. There is no doubt. He deserved he punishment.
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- Oct 25 2017 - 14:43
- DChemTech
  
  Posts: 39
  Bottas, Bottas, Vettel and Sainz all left the track running wide in an overtake situation, potentially increasing corner exit speed or providing a better blocking opportunity; making the turn shorter is not the only way you can gain an advantage.
  
  Pretty much every driver likely went both wide and cut short at some point during the race or quali as well. That's just as much gaining an advantage - it may just help you overtake your opponent when he pits.
  
  The problem is not that the penalty for max was incorrect. I think everyone agrees that the penalty was correct according to the letter of the law. The problem is that the stewards are completely inconsistent, and did not punish any other driver in situations where they were gaining an advantage. (second, it could be argued leaving the track was necessary to avoid collision). That the stewards also selectively penalized what was by far the most interesting action in a sports that desperately needs more action doesn't help either.
  + 1
  
  Oct 25 2017 - 15:10
- misstappen
  
  Posts: 2,998
  obviously you have a better view on this event than Andretti , Luijendijk, Lauda to name a few. You are great! Think I will follow you a bit better in your comments, it will help me a lot, thanks dude.
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  Oct 25 2017 - 15:14
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  @Dchemtech great post. Spot on. I also agree with Max that there is an issue with the stewarding. If you look at the stats there is an anomaly. This is also the steward that went into the Mercedes garage to tell them to make an complaint. After that debacle the FIA should have not put measures in place to make sure that safeguards consistant decisions.
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  Oct 26 2017 - 07:48
- thosko
  
  Posts: 3
  It is true that others also went wide and off track during the race. The big difference is that they went on the outside making the track longer not shorter, thus not gaining an advantage.
  
  I would agree that there are inconsistencies in the judging and that more consistency would be good, and that everyone is jugded the same way. Even the stars.
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  Oct 26 2017 - 11:16
- DChemTech
  
  Posts: 39
  The issue there is that it's completely misguided to state that only "making the track shorter" constitutes an advantage. Going wide for better exit or blocking opportunities (it looked like Hamilton had to hold back to allow Vettel to re-enter in turn 1, thereby securing Vettels overtake) just as well is an advantage, despite making more meters.
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  Oct 26 2017 - 13:56
Barron

Posts: 625
Max is not bigger than the sport. There need to be some changes to consistency I agree but this kind of abuse only serves to entrench the FIA, not encourage them to look inwards. Mr J Verstappen should be telling his son this, not causing mayhem on Twatter.
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- Oct 26 2017 - 11:59
Jutlandia

Posts: 191
I HAVE THE SOLUTION:
One set of rules for Max and Jos and another set for the rest...
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- Oct 27 2017 - 09:35