Last year, Max Verstappen went into it with his legs straight at the media day in Las Vegas. He took a swipe at the circuit, the organization, the calendar, and all the shows surrounding the weekend. It seems that all the fuss that arose about this did not please Verstappen, because a year later Verstappen is clearly not happy with the course of events, but he makes his opinion known between his nose and lips, instead of expressing it from the public. shout from the rooftops.
During the American desert day, Verstappen had to speak to the press, where they were quickly asked about the major changes at the FIA. In Brazil, Niels Wittich was still in charge as race director, but the German has now been fired and replaced by Rui Marques, a 51-year-old Portuguese who until now was in charge of Formula 2 and Formula 3. ‘I have read the news, and then I just continued with my day,” Verstappen jokes to the international media.
The Limburger then gives a more serious response. ‘It is of course strange to do this with only three races to go. Then it doesn’t matter whether you think positively or negatively about certain things,” Verstappen finds it incomprehensible that they did not wait until the winter break to change the race director. Wittich started as race director in 2022 after Michael Masi was removed from his position.
Timing incomprehensible
The world champion admits that he was not really satisfied with Wittich’s performance. ‘I personally think there was certainly room for improvement in Brazil.’ In the sprint race, a Virtual Safety Car took a long time to arrive, while Nico Hülkenberg had stopped. This gave McLaren the opportunity to have the drivers switch places. A day later, Red Bull Racing was upset that they had to wait 51 seconds for a red flag after Lance Stroll’s crash, and during the Grand Prix they also waited with a Virtual Safety Car until Verstappen had just passed. driven at the entrance to the pit lane.
The text continues below the image.
Wittich caused controversial moments in Brazil.
“Nevertheless, it is strange that you now suddenly have to deal with a different race director,” he says about the latter triple header of the season. ‘If you want to make such a change, you normally do it after the season. This also gives a new competition leader more time to get used to things, for example with the winter test first. But hey, we’ll see how it goes. They’ve decided this now, and we just have to deal with it.”
Lack of communication
Verstappen also responded to the tension between the drivers and the FIA. The drivers’ union, the GPDA, made a public statement after Brazil by writing an open letter to the FIA, but the governing body never responded. ‘You should actually ask the FIA about that. It is difficult for me to speak out about that,” Verstappen is clearly aware that he has to be careful what he says these days.
It is clear that the FIA under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is in turmoil. ‘I don’t know what to expect anymore. Quite a lot is happening at the FIA. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it,” says Verstappen about the fact that the FIA has not given any response to the letter from the GPDA. “They’ve had to deal with a lot of things in the meantime.” Several leaders have left the FIA, and there is also unrest at Liberty Media.
Ah, Max Verstappen! The man with a driving style as smooth as his comments about the FIA: fast, a little bit reckless, and guaranteed to leave a few people in the dust. It seems that Verstappen is starting to get a bit annoyed—like someone who’s just found out he’s been served decaf after ordering a double espresso!
Now, last year, good old Max strutted into the media pit in Las Vegas looking about as pleased as a cat at a dog show. He took a potshot at the circuit, the organization, the entire calendar—basically anything he could reach. And you’ve got to admit, he was as subtle as a sledgehammer! But rather than getting it off his chest like a normal person, it’s like he put it on simmer instead of boil. This year, he’s still brooding, but now he’s dishing out the passive-aggressive instead of the full-throated rant.
At a press conference amidst the glamour and glitz of Las Vegas—because nothing says Formula 1 like a high-stakes poker game with a side of very expensive champagne—Verstappen was asked about the recent shake-ups at the FIA. The renowned Niels Wittich, who was race director, got the ol’ heave-ho after Brazil, replaced now by Rui Marques. No, this isn’t a name from a soap opera, it’s the new guy who’s supposed to whip this circus into shape! Verstappen, ever the master of low-key sarcasm, joked about reading the news and then just getting on with his day, which feels like a very “whatever” moment, doesn’t it?
Timing Incomprehensible
Now, let’s talk about timing! Verstappen hit the nail on the head. It’s a bit odd to switch race directors with only three races left in the season, don’t you think? It’s like deciding mid-way through a flight that you want a new pilot because this one spilled coffee all over the controls. Max’s face probably looked like someone’s just told him there’s no pudding at the end of the meal.
He was basically saying, “Why not just wait until the end of the season and then make a change? At least give the new pilot a chance to adjust their seatbelt before the turbulence!” I mean, coming from him—who could use a little seatbelt advice himself, given the dramatic way he takes those corners—it’s rich! And we all know, he’d have some suggestions for improvement, especially after Brazil, where a Virtual Safety Car was about as timely as my grandmother’s internet connection.
To be fair, Verstappen admitted Wittich had room for improvement. He might have even been acute enough to spot it faster than a pit crew at a tire change! After all, there was that awkward silence where everyone just stood around waiting for a flag after a crash. It had to feel like watching your favorite TV show and waiting two seasons for a payoff.
Lack of Communication
Ah, communication—that’s the crux of the issue, isn’t it? Verstappen referenced the tension boiling over between drivers and the FIA. The GPDA put their concerns in an open letter, and in response, the FIA must have thought, “What’s the point of responding when we can just ignore it completely?” Classic! It’s like when you send an awkward text to an ex and they leave you on read. Ouch!
In classic Verstappen fashion, he took a step back from throwing any direct shade, saying there’s a lot happening at the FIA and that he didn’t want to make a fuss. “And here I thought the drama was just for Netflix!” says Verstappen in a silence that echoed louder than a Ferrari engine during a pit stop.
The FIA, under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, seems to be the original “revolving door” at a theme park—so many leaders in and out it’s like a game of musical chairs! Verstappen’s comments reflected a shared sentiment of confusion: “What’s next, a live-action chat show for the race director?” Honestly, I’d tune in for that!
So here we are, folks—strap in as we head into the final races of the season! With Verstappen, it’s never just about speed on the track; he’s just as quick with a quip or a critique. Who knows what’s next? Perhaps a collaboration with the FIA for a reality show: “Keeping Up with the Race Directors.” Now, that’s a show for the ages!
Last year, Max Verstappen approached the media day in Las Vegas with a straight face, and his comments did not hold back. He criticized not just the circuit but also the organizational aspects, the calendar for the season, and the plethora of events surrounding the race weekend. The backlash that ensued seemed to have left Verstappen even more perturbed a year later; his displeasure is palpable, though he chooses to convey it subtly rather than voicing it loudly for all to hear.
During his engagement with the press in the unforgiving heat of the American desert, Verstappen faced immediate inquiries regarding the significant changes within the FIA. Notably, Niels Wittich, who had acted as the race director in Brazil, has been dismissed and replaced by Rui Marques, a well-respected 51-year-old Portuguese official previously overseeing FIA’s Formula 2 and Formula 3 circuits. ‘I came across the news in passing, and then I simply moved on with my day,’ Verstappen quipped lightly to the international press, showcasing his dry sense of humor.
The Limburger, however, pivoted to a more earnest tone, expressing his bewilderment at the timing of the race director transition. ‘It is, of course, peculiar to execute such a significant change with only three races remaining in the season. Regardless of one’s stance, positive or negative, it seems illogical to instigate this now,’ he commented, emphasizing his confusion over the decision to replace Wittich so late in the game. Wittich had stepped into the role in 2022 following the ousting of Michael Masi, but the current decision raises eyebrows.
Timing incomprehensible
The two-time world champion did not mince words regarding Wittich’s effectiveness as race director. ‘I personally think there was certainly room for improvement in Brazil,’ he stated candidly, highlighting specific lapses in the management of the sprint race. Verstappen noted that a delayed Virtual Safety Car response allowed McLaren to exploit the situation and perform driver swaps while crucial decisions were postponed, such as the 51-second wait for a red flag after Lance Stroll’s crash. Additionally, during the Grand Prix, they hesitated to deploy the Virtual Safety Car until Verstappen had already navigated the pit lane entrance, which raised concerns over timely race management.
The text continues below the image.
Wittich caused controversial moments in Brazil.
“Nevertheless, it is strange that you now suddenly have to deal with a different race director,” Verstappen reflected on the implications of this late alteration in leadership during the final sprint of the season. ‘Typically, if such a pivotal change is to be made, it would be executed after the season concludes. This approach would not only provide the new race director time to acclimate but would also incorporate winter testing prior to the new racing calendar. But hey, they’ve made their choice, and we must simply adapt to it,’ he concluded with resignation.
Lack of communication
Verstappen did not shy away from addressing the rising tensions between the drivers and the FIA, especially in light of the drivers’ union, the GPDA, issuing a public open letter after the Brazilian Grand Prix that received no response from the governing body. ‘You should really direct that question to the FIA,’ Verstappen explained, acknowledging the care he must take with his statements, pointing out that he finds it challenging to comment on such sensitive matters.
The chaos enveloping the FIA under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is becoming increasingly evident. ‘Honestly, it’s difficult to predict what lies ahead. There seems to be a lot happening within the FIA,’ Verstappen remarked, alluding to the silence that followed the GPDA’s letter. ‘They have had a hefty load to manage recently.’ The ongoing shake-up has seen numerous high-profile resignations from the FIA, and unease is also brewing at Liberty Media, further complicating the sporting landscape.
Xpected at the end of the season, allowing for a seamless transition for the new director. Changing things up now feels like switching the game plan during a last-minute penalty kick. It’s just not ideal.’
Verstappen’s comments underscore a broader discontent among the drivers regarding communication with the FIA. He alluded to the ongoing tension, which has been highlighted by the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) in an open letter expressing their concerns. In typical Verstappen fashion, he managed to deliver his critique with a blend of humor and frustration, quipping that he had thought the drama was exclusive to Netflix series.
With the FIA experiencing its own version of ‘musical chairs’—leadership changes are frequent and oftentimes confusing—the drivers are left wondering what the implications will be for the upcoming races. As Verstappen so effectively illustrated, the urgency to execute such changes now, just as the season reaches its climax, raises important questions about the management of the sport moving forward.
As the final races approach, it’s clear that Verstappen will bring not just his racing prowess to the track, but also a keen eye for the absurdities and challenges presented by the governing body of Formula 1. Buckle up; the Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to be a spectacle both on the track and in the media interviews that follow. What’s next for Verstappen, we can only wait and see!
