Formula 1 News: Red Bull concerned with Max Verstappen’s longevity: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, displayed an all-time rivalry in the 2021 season of Formula 1. Although Max came out on top, the team is still not sure how long will Max continue. Follow InsideSport.IN for more Formula 1 News and Updates.
It was a season filled with twists and turns as both drivers went into the final race level on points. Both the drivers had 369.5 points and whosoever won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would take the Formula 1 title. But in his own admission, Max didn’t believe he would have a long career as some of his peers like Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel. The reason is the intensity of competition with Hamilton.
Formula 1 News: Max Verstappen may not have a long career as Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull raises fresh concerns over his longevity
After taking the lead from Max Verstappen in the first lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was on course to win his eighth world title but a late safety car changed the outcome of the race.
Max Verstappen had pitted to change his tyres to a new soft compound as Hamilton was sitting ducks on his hard compound tyres. It was a last-lap shootout where the Dutchman overtook the Brit and claimed his first-ever Formula 1 title.
Formula 1 News: Max Verstappen may not have a long career as Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull raises fresh concerns over his longevity
The 2021 season which had 22 races took its toll on the Red Bull team and their number 1 driver Max Verstappen. Helmut Marko, the current advisor of the Red Bull team fears the effects of a repeat.
Also Read: Formula 1 News: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen SHOWS OFF his No 1 car with race on ICE – Check out
If Max Verstappen comes across further title scraps like this in the future, then Marko fears that it would subtract the time from Max’s career.
Max Verstappen is your 2021 International Racing Driver of the Year! 🏆
The @redbullracing driver received the most votes to win the prestigious award, presented by @pirellisport 👏
#AutosportAwards21 #Ad #Autosport pic.twitter.com/JFRuCrStzT— Autosport (@autosport) February 6, 2022
Helmut Marko said, “We were all at the limit. And you are so much more susceptible to the flu. Thank god some people got the coronavirus after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix including Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner. That was good timing after looking at the whole 2021 season.”
Formula 1 News: Max Verstappen may not have a long career as Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull raises fresh concerns over his longevity
Marko further added, “Even Max himself said that he couldn’t stand such an intensity anymore. He still wants to drive for a while but if that’s the case every year, then his career would take a hit.”
Max Verstappen will be back for the 2022 season where he will defend his Driver’s Championship crown with his team, Red Bull.
For the first time Max’s car, the RB18 will have number 1 on it. Verstappen chose to change his number from 33 to 1 in his year of defence. This means his number 33 will be kept aside for the 2022 season.
Sebastian Vettel, who won all of his four Formula 1 titles with Red Bull, was the last driver to race with number 1. He did this in the year 2014 after winning his fourth and most recent title.
Formula 1 News: Max Verstappen may not have a long career as Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull raises fresh concerns over his longevity
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