Who doesn’t know them from their school days? The sneak! Sir, I know what…
There is also one in Formula 1. Max Verstappen (24), the super sneak!
He didn’t need that at all! After the last-minute failure in the opening race, world champion Verstappen reported back in Saudi Arabia and took his first win of the season.
On the track he fought several wheel-to-wheel duels with Charles Leclerc (24) in the Ferrari until the last lap.
But: Verstappen denounced several alleged offenses by his colleagues to his racing engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
► Lap 7: Verstappen complains over the radio that Leclerc’s brake and battery lights are defective. The world champion in a sharp tone: “They don’t work!”
► Lap 25: The Dutchman radios: “Leclerc has crossed the line to the pit entrance.” That’s forbidden. It will not be sanctioned.
► Lap 44: Verstappen angry: “He has crossed the line (to the pit entrance; editor’s note) once more!” Again there is no penalty for the Ferrari.
► Lap 50: Verstappen leads just ahead of Leclerc on the last lap. Contrary to the rules, both hardly brake when the flag is yellow. The Brause pilot radios: “How was he able to catch up? That is so unfair!”
Snitch four times in 50 rounds.
But Leclerc doesn’t seem to blame him – or didn’t he get it?
The Monegasse following the race: “I really enjoyed the race. It was tough but fair. And every race should be like that.”
Both drivers respect each other very much and have known each other from karting since they were children. This was also shown by a scene following crossing the finish line: when both cars drive side by side on the slow-down lap, Leclerc raises his thumb. Verstappen does the same for him.
It’s a pity that Max turns into a super sneak in the car. His next “Lord Teacher, I Know What” appearance is April 10 in Melbourne.
