Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen's hopes of securing a second victory in the virtual 24 Hours of Daytona race were dashed after a series of unfortunate mistakes that led to two-time penalties. Representing Team Redline, Verstappen's race began with high expectations, but his pursuit of victory ended in frustration due to costly errors in the wet conditions.
Early lead turns into disappointment
The race kicked off at 12:45 PM GMT on Saturday, and Verstappen, joined by teammates Chris Lulham and Diogo Pinto, was in a strong position, leading the field with approximately six hours remaining.
However, as the race entered the early hours of Sunday morning, Verstappen's performance took a hit. In wet conditions, he appeared to aquaplane, making contact with a GTD car, which forced him to pit for repairs.
Despite this setback, Verstappen showed resilience, recovering to continue the race after falling to fourth place. However, his troubles weren't over, as he would soon find himself penalized twice in quick succession.
Penalties and frustration
The first penalty came when Verstappen was deemed to have entered the pit lane in an unsafe manner. As a result, he was slapped with a 40-second time penalty. Unfortunately, Verstappen compounded the issue by repeating the same mistake, earning a second 40-second penalty.
The 27-year-old driver, visibly frustrated, was seen shouting and swearing at the screen while seated in his simulator. His outburst highlighted the intense pressure and emotion involved in competitive racing. The penalties ultimately cost Team Redline any chance of winning, as they could not recover the lost time to challenge the leaders.
Verstappen’s outbursts not uncommon
Verstappen's angry reaction is not entirely surprising, considering his history of controversy surrounding his language and conduct. During the 2024 F1 season, Verstappen made headlines for his swearing over the team radio, which led to warnings from the FIA. Additionally, he faced punishment for using foul language in a press conference in Singapore. He was later required to perform "work of public interest" as part of his penalty, a decision Verstappen called "ridiculous."
Verstappen has expressed his frustration with the increasing restrictions on emotional expression in the sport. "You always have to be politically correct," he said, suggesting that recent developments have made the sport less enjoyable. His stance on swearing has been supported by the Grand Prix Drivers Association, which defended the use of casual swearing in specific contexts, such as describing challenging weather conditions or technical issues with the car.
Although Verstappen's outbursts in both the virtual and real-world arenas have generated debate, it is clear that his passion for racing remains unwavering. As the 2025 F1 season approaches, Verstappen will undoubtedly be looking to channel that emotion into more successful performances, both on and off the track.