“I Wasn’t Too Happy”: Max Verstappen Relates Timely Miami GP Safety Car to Infamous Lewis Hamilton ControversyRipan MajumdarEssentiallySports

Max Verstappen enjoyed a race win at the inaugural Miami GP. The race in Vice City was a tiring battle for the world champion against Charles Leclerc in the Miami heat. However, the race got worrisome for the Dutchman when the safety car session came into the race.

The reigning champion started the race at P3 while the Ferrari duo was ahead of him at the front line. However, Verstappen managed to move ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Dutchman managed to keep the lead in the race for most of the time.

@f1miami #MiamiGP was phenomenal. Here’s a peek at Sunday Race while Safety Car was out. pic.twitter.com/eO5a5pzPQq

— Enrique Garcia (@emxgarcia) May 10, 2022

But then McLaren’s Lando Norris collided with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, which led to a safety car period. This gave the Red Bull driver the scare that Leclerc might use the opportunity to catch up to him and take the lead. But then Verstappen remembered the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP which also had a safety car session that gave Max an advantage.

READ MORE: WATCH: Max Verstappen & Lando Norris Lose It at a Fake Birthday Party Amidst Double Date in Monaco

Verstappen wasn’t worried about the safety car after remembering the season finale. Max reported, “I wasn’t too happy with the safety car, but I fully understand that it was needed. I don’t really feel bad about it, because in the past such a safety car has also worked in my favor,” he suggests with a nod to Abu Dhabi 2021.“

Why winning the Spanish GP is a must for Max Verstappen?

The Red Bull F1 driver is one of the best drivers in the world at the moment. But he and his teammate Sergio Perez have been struggling with the reliability of the 2022 Red Bull challenger. The unreliable RB18 has led to two DNFs for Verstappen, which cost him valuable points.

However, Verstappen also won three out of the last five races this season. Which helped the Dutchman to narrow down the gap he had with the championship leader, Leclerc. The Ferrari man is comfortably leading the drivers’ standing at 104 points. Leclerc has won two races along with two second-place finishes and a P6 finish.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with third-place Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after qualifying in pole position for the Miami GP. Pool via REUTERS/Brendan Smialowski

Thus, the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix is going to be a game-changer for the reigning world champion. It will help Max get closer to Leclerc. But there is also a possibility for Max Verstappen to take the lead if the Monegasque driver somehow scores no points.

WATCH THIS STORY: Top 5 wins of Max Verstappen’s F1 career

Undoubtedly, the upcoming race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be a battle to behold between Verstappen and Leclerc. Who are your bets on?

The post “I Wasn’t Too Happy”: Max Verstappen Relates Timely Miami GP Safety Car to Infamous Lewis Hamilton Controversy appeared first on EssentiallySports.

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