Jos Verstappen teasingly suggests the Dutch Grand Prix shows Mercedes haven’t “learned” from Abu Dhabi last year.
His son Max would make it back-to-back wins at Zandvoort last Sunday after using fresher, softer tyres to pass Lewis Hamilton at a Safety Car restart, sound familiar?
Verstappen wasted no time getting past Hamilton at the restart ?#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/d3muMaULsE
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 4, 2022
The seven-time world champion then launched a sweary tirade at his team over the radio, but later apologised and insisted he supported those making the strategy calls at Mercedes.
“One hundred per cent we do have the right team,” he said.
“We have got a group of young, super-determined individuals. Some have been here as long as me, and much longer in the team, and who continue to be motivated every year and I 1,000 per cent believe we have the right team in place.
“It wasn’t an easy call,” Hamilton noted.
“Of course, we can always look back in certain scenarios and say we would have made a different choice. But that’s not life, we just learn from it.
“I was hopeful to get a podium, I was hopeful to get a first or second at least.”
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While Red Bull boss Christian Horner didn’t mention Mercedes’ decision to leave Hamilton out, he did wonder why George Russell was allowed to pit for softs during the Safety Car.
“I was quite surprised they didn’t leave George out strategically as a rear gunner for Lewis,” he said. “When he pitted, it gave a straight fight between Max and Lewis with a tyre offset.
“My biggest concern was it would be two against one. But when George seemed to pit himself, that freed up a one-on-one fight with Max versus Lewis.
“By the time they came past us on the pit wall, Max was already alongside and thereafter it was a matter of controlling the race.”
Verstappen Sr though couldn’t resist but take a dig at Mercedes.
“It was super-tense but Red Bull were on top again,” Jos told De Telegraaf.
“Max tried all the tyres and indicated which one would work best. Mercedes did well too, they definitely had a chance to win. But fortunately, it worked out well for us.
“And you would think Mercedes had learned from last year’s race in Abu Dhabi, but apparently not.” Ouch