Max Verstappen expressed his anger and frustration after experiencing a brake failure during the Australian GP, using strong language to criticize his team’s handling of the situation. The incident proved to be a nightmare for the current Championship Leader, as it not only ended his challenge for the win but also prevented him from equaling his previous world record of ten consecutive victories.
Verstappen was visibly furious following the incident, claiming that the data clearly showed that the right rear brake was locked. Despite this, the team chose to take no action, resulting in the unfortunate incident. The stuck brake also affected his performance on the track, making the car difficult to handle in corners.
In an attempt to rectify the issue, Red Bull considered making a pit stop for new tires. This decision prompted Verstappen to make his angry comment, labeling it as “F**king Stupid.” However, he clarified that his frustration was solely directed towards the idea of pitting with a burning brake and did not reflect any personal grudges against the team.
Verstappen further explained to the media that the right-rear brake was stuck, giving the sensation of a handbrake being engaged. He could feel this issue from the early stages of the race. His outburst in the garage was specifically about the suggestion of a pit stop while the car was on fire.
The reigning world champion’s disappointment was evident, leading him to leave the Red Bull garage in a visibly upset state. Marshals quickly intervened to extinguish the fire on the RB20’s rear right brake. Unfortunately, Verstappen’s retirement from the race resulted in him scoring zero points and significantly impacting his chances in the world championship.
Furthermore, Verstappen’s tires also caught fire due to the brake failure, highlighting Red Bull’s negligence in addressing the issue earlier. The pole sitter’s retirement allowed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to claim victory in the Australian GP, with Charles Leclerc finishing in second place. Sergio Perez, on the other hand, achieved a mediocre fifth-place finish at Albert Park.
The entire Australian GP was filled with drama and proved to be an intriguing spectacle for fans worldwide. Verstappen’s early retirement was followed by an engine failure from another driver, and even Mercedes experienced a disappointing weekend, with one of their drivers crashing out on the final lap of the race.