The reigning world champion, Max Verstappen surprised all during the qualifying session of the Singapore Grand Prix this season. Both Red Bull drivers struggled to keep up with the rest of the grid and lagged behind which resulted in a rather disappointing performance by the duo.
While Verstappen holds a much humble eleventh spot, teammate Sergio Perez went further and took a very mediocre thirteenth place. This came as a shock for all given the performance record Red Bull held before this.
However, it was not the performance that was the most unsettling bit of the rather, it was the call that the governing body of the spot, i.e., the FIA took when Max Verstappen’s actions were at stake. Three distinct investigations were launched on the driver but it however did not lead to a penalty of any sort.
The Dutchman was observed practicing something unusual; parking at the pit lane which definitely did not go unnoticed by fellow drivers and Charles Leclerc even voiced a complaint over the radio.
🚨 | BREAKING: Max Verstappen receives a REPRIMAND for impeding Tsunoda.
No further action on the Sargeant incident.
NO PENALTY FOR VERSTAPPEN.
— formularacers (@formularacers_) September 16, 2023
The other issue raised when Verstappen was witnessed while he was trying to disrupt the Williams driver Logan Sargeant. This incident took place between Turns 17 and 18 as a result of which he found himself in a precarious position with the FIA who let him off easy. Fans were pretty upset about the fact that Verstappen didn’t get any penalties, one fan said “What a load of nonsense”
He also did something similar with AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda for which he received a reprimand, which many have deemed to be unfair considering the consequences such actions would have caused.
Max Verstappen’s historic victory streak at stake after Qualifying at Singapore
The qualifying session on Saturday ruined all hopes for Red Bull to win all the races of the 2023 season as they had planned earlier. After the Dutch driver broke 4-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record, it was clear that he was not going to look behind and achieve the unattainable. However, that notion seems to be clouded by the looming low-efficient outcomes and the risky moves made by Verstappen during the race.
So far, it’s a difficult weekend here in Singapore, resulting in a disappointing Qualifying. We go again tomorrow 👊#KeepPushing pic.twitter.com/bM5WNHRyb4
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) September 16, 2023
As Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz took his second qualifying pole of the season on that very same day, Max Verstappen was left disheartened and furious at the end of the race. He faced a deep blow when the ’emergency’ driver Liam Lawson made an overtake on him and was eliminated by the time difference of a mere .007 seconds.
This setback was highly unanticipated by the Red Bull driver as well as his team given the fact that he holds the ability to win races even after starting at the back of the grid, such as in Belgium and in Miami. The twists and turns that occurred at the qualifying session in Singapore has added an element of unpredictability which is a challenge for Max Verstappen to overcome.
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